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Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Published in: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Osteoarthrosis | Research article

Effects of a valgus unloader brace in the medial meniscectomized knee joint: a biomechanical study

Authors: Duraisamy Shriram, Go Yamako, Etsuo Chosa, Yee Han Dave Lee, Karupppasamy Subburaj

Published in: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

Patients undergoing total or partial arthroscopic meniscectomy for treating traumatic meniscal tears are at greater risk of developing knee osteoarthritis (OA) due to increased mechanical load. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a valgus unloader brace in the medial meniscectomized knee joint during the gait cycle.

Methods

A three-dimensional finite element model of the knee joint was developed using the substructures segmented from magnetic resonance images. Experimentally measured forces and moments for one complete gait cycle, without brace and with brace at three different alignment angles (0°, 4°, and 8°), were applied to the finite element model, and the changes in the tibiofemoral contact mechanics were estimated.

Results

The brace in 0°/4°/8° valgus alignment modes reduced the total contact force in the medial compartment by 16%/46%/82% at opposite toe off and 18%/17%/29% at opposite initial contact events, while it increased the total contact force in the lateral compartment by 31%/81%/110% at opposite toe off and 30%/38%/45% at opposite initial contact events, respectively, when compared to the unbraced meniscectomized knee.

Conclusions

Increasing the valgus alignment from 0° to 4° and 8° resulted in a greater reduction of contact conditions (total contact force, total contact area, peak contact pressure) in the medial compartment and vice versa in the lateral compartment. This decrease in contact conditions in the medial compartment infers enhanced knee joint function due to a valgus unloader brace, which translates to increased knee-related confidence. Results suggest choosing a higher valgus alignment angle could potentially increase the risk for the onset of osteoarthritis in the lateral compartment, and this computational model could be used in validating the effectiveness of braces on joint health.
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Metadata
Title
Effects of a valgus unloader brace in the medial meniscectomized knee joint: a biomechanical study
Authors
Duraisamy Shriram
Go Yamako
Etsuo Chosa
Yee Han Dave Lee
Karupppasamy Subburaj
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1749-799X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-019-1085-1

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