Exploring the Effects of a Non-mechanical Knee Brace on Lower Limb Kinematics & Kinetics in Healthy Individuals & its Implications for Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Abstract

Background: Knee orthoses for osteoarthritis represent a possible treatment for patients not suited for surgery. Although effective biomechanically, mechanical braces can be unattractive to patients. Controlling symptomology by altering neuromuscular control with the use of non-mechanical (proprioceptive) knee braces could improve the treatment of OA.
Aim: to examine the effect of a proprioceptive knee brace on lower limb kinematics and kinetics in healthy participants and in participants with OA.
Methods: Thirteen healthy and three participants with OA aged 30 to 60 volunteered. Hip, knee and ankle biomechanics during walk and stepdown tasks with and without the Donjoy OA Reaction Web (DJO Global, USA, 2015) brace were examined using the calibrated anatomical systems technique (CAST).
Results: Significant positive changes in multiple planes of movement and in all three joints were noted in both groups. There were also improvements in patient reported outcome measures.
Conclusion: This study supports the concept of neuromuscular reinforcement and re-education through proprioceptive bracing as an alternative to mechanical correction.