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Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery
Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery 5/2016

Open Access 01-05-2016 | Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine

Biomechanical effect of unloader braces for medial osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review (CRD 42015026136)

Authors: Wolf Petersen, Andree Ellermann, Thore Zantop, Ingo Volker Rembitzki, Hartmut Semsch, Christian Liebau, Raymond Best

Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery | Issue 5/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

There is a lack of consensus regarding biomechanical effects of unloader braces for the treatment of medial osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of studies examining the biomechanical effect of unloader braces.

Methods

A systematic search for articles about the biomechanical effect of unloader braces was performed. Primary outcome measure was the influence of the brace on the knee adduction moment. Data sources were Pubmed central and google scholar.

Results

Twenty-four articles were included. Twenty articles showed that valgus unloader braces significantly decrease the knee adduction moment. Seven of those studies reported a decrease of pain in braced patients (secondary outcome measure). Positive effects on the knee adduction moment could be found for custom made braces for conventional knee braces and for a foot ankle orthosis. Four studies could not show any effect of knee unloader braces on the knee adduction moment although one of these studies found decreased pain in braced patients. One of these studies examined healthy patients with a neutral axis.

Conclusion

This systematic review could demonstrate evidence that unloader braces reduce the adduction moment of the knee. Foresighted, a systematic review about the clinical effect of unloader braces is required.
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Metadata
Title
Biomechanical effect of unloader braces for medial osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review (CRD 42015026136)
Authors
Wolf Petersen
Andree Ellermann
Thore Zantop
Ingo Volker Rembitzki
Hartmut Semsch
Christian Liebau
Raymond Best
Publication date
01-05-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery / Issue 5/2016
Print ISSN: 0936-8051
Electronic ISSN: 1434-3916
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-015-2388-2

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