Effectiveness of Valgus Offloading Knee Braces in the Treatment of Medial Compartment Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review

Impact of a Sensor-Based Platform on the Outcome of Medial Off-Loader Bracing in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to determine the effectiveness of a medial off-loader brace with sensor monitoring capabilities and associated phone application in improving outcomes for individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

METHODS

This is a randomized clinical trial of participants with knee osteoarthritis, aged 40-75 with two groups: 1) brace-only and 2) brace+sensor (sensor providing walking time, knee range of motion, and 7-day activity streak). Both groups received a prefabricated custom-fitted medial off-loader brace and 12-wk self-guided exercise therapy program. Baseline and postintervention assessments included subjective and objective outcomes.

RESULTS

Sixty participants were recruited ( n = 30/group). The brace+sensor group demonstrated higher study retention (88.89%) compared with the brace-only group (73.33%). Significant improvement in Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey knee pain and other Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey subscores compared with baseline was observed for both groups. However, only the brace+sensor group improved beyond the established minimal clinically important difference for Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey pain (11.31 ± 13.87). Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey activities of daily living was also significantly improved in the brace+sensor group compared with brace-only group ( P = 0.049). Both treatment groups had significant improvement in functional outcomes (10-m walk, 5× sit-to-stand, P < 0.05). Only the brace+sensor group had significant improvements in the 6-min walk test ( P = 0.02) and reduction in participant weight ( P = 0.01) at 12 wks.

CONCLUSIONS

Incorporating wearable technology in standard bracing for individuals with knee osteoarthritis has potential in improving clinical outcomes.

Medial Opening Wedge (MOW) Versus Lateral Closing Wedge (LCW) High Tibial Osteotomies for Knee Medial Compartment Osteoarthritis Show Similar Outcomes and Survivorship, While MOW Has Higher Rates of Tibial Fracture and LCW Has Higher Rates of Nerve Injury and Conversion to Total Knee

PURPOSE

The purpose of this systematic review was to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes and complications between medial opening wedge and lateral closing wedge high tibial osteotomies in the setting of medial compartment osteoarthritis with genu varus alignment.

METHODS

This study was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Studies that reported on MOW- or LCWHTOs in the setting of medial compartment osteoarthritis were included. Analysis was performed based on radiographic and patient reported outcomes (PROs) and complications.

RESULTS

A total of 40 studies were included. Hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angles and PROs including Lysholm and VAS showed significant improvements postoperatively for both MOW- and LCWHTO for all included studies. For the studies that reported on it, posterior tibial slope (PTS) was significantly increased in 4 of the 9 MOW studies and significantly decreased in 8 of the 9 LCW studies, and patellar height was significantly decreased in 4 of the 5 MOW studies, while none of the 4 LCW studies reported any changes. Three comparison studies reported a higher conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the LCW cohort, otherwise, survivorship at 10-years was comparable between studies. The MOW cohort had higher rates of tibial fractures while the LCW cohort had higher rates of nerve injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review found comparable HKA angle correction and PROs between patients undergoing MOW- or LCWHTOs to treat medial compartment osteoarthritis. Survivorship at 10-years was comparable between MOW- and LCWHTOs; however, some MOW- and LCWHTO comparison studies reported higher conversion to TKA for LCWHTO. Medial opening wedge HTO typically results in an increased PTS, decreased patellar height, and tibial fractures, while LCWHTO typically results in decreased PTS, no change in patellar height, and common peroneal nerve injuries.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, systematic review of Level I to IV studies.

Knee braces and foot orthoses multimodal 3-month treatment of medial knee osteoarthritis in a randomised crossover trial

PURPOSE

Immediate biomechanical and functional benefits of knee braces and lateral wedge foot orthoses (FO) are often reported on patients with medial knee osteoarthritis. However, the effectiveness of their combined use in a longer-term orthotic treatment remains unclear. The aim was to evaluate pain, function, comfort and knee adduction moment (KAM) during the stance phase of gait with three modalities of orthotic treatment.

METHODS

Twenty-two patients with knee osteoarthritis were analysed in a randomised crossover trial including a knee brace with valgus and external rotation functions (VER), FO and their combined use (VER + FO). Western Ontario and McMaster Universities scale (WOMAC) and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores and KAM during gait were obtained before and after each orthotic treatment of 3 months. Repeated measures analyses of variance contrasted the factors orthosis (VER, FO, VER + FO), treatment (pre and post) and wear (without and with) on pain, function, comfort and KAM.

RESULTS

An interaction between orthosis and treatment on the WOMAC pain (effect size [ES] = 0.17) and a main effect on the pain visual analogue score (ES = 0.24) indicated that VER and VER + FO were more alleviating than FO. The three modalities of orthotic treatment significantly improved functional scores (ES > 0.2) and reduced discomfort (ES = 0.25). A significant multivariate interaction between orthosis and wear (ES = 0.73) showed that the KAM reduction while wearing the orthoses was more pronounced with the VER and VER + FO than the FO.

CONCLUSION

The VER-brace obtained more effectiveness than FO on pain and KAM after 3 months for medial knee osteoarthritis and the combined treatment did not substantially improve biomechanical and functional outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic study level I randomised crossover trial.

Knee braces for knee osteoarthritis: A scoping review and narrative synthesis of interventions in randomised controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

To identify and synthesise the content of knee bracing interventions in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of knee osteoarthritis (OA).

DESIGN

In this scoping review, three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane) were searched up to 10th June 2024. Nineteen previous systematic reviews of knee bracing for knee OA and four recent international clinical practice guidelines were also hand searched. Identified studies were screened for eligibility by two independent reviewers. Information on bracing interventions was extracted from included RCT reports, informed by Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) guidelines. Data were synthesised narratively.

RESULTS

Thirty-one RCTs testing 47 different bracing interventions were included. Braces were broadly grouped as valgus/varus, patellofemoral, sleeve, neutral hinged, or control/placebo knee braces. Brace manufacturer and models varied, as did amount of recommended brace use. Only three interventions specifically targeted brace adherence. Information on brace providers, setting, number of treatment sessions, and intervention modification over time was poorly reported. Adherence to brace use was described for 32 (68%) interventions, most commonly via self-report. Several mechanisms of action for knee braces were proposed, broadly grouped as biomechanical, neuromuscular, and psychological.

CONCLUSIONS

Many different knee brace interventions have been tested for knee OA, with several proposed mechanisms of action, a lack of focus on adherence, and a lack of full reporting. These issues may be contributing to the heterogeneous findings and inconsistent guideline recommendations about the clinical effectiveness of knee bracing for knee OA to date.

Impact of COVID-19 on opioid use in those awaiting hip and knee arthroplasty: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 has had a detrimental impact on access to hip and knee arthroplasty surgery. We set out to examine whether this had a subsequent impact on preoperative opioid prescribing rates for those awaiting surgery.

METHODS

Data regarding patient demographics and opioid utilisation were collected from the electronic health records of included patients at a large university teaching hospital. Patients on the outpatient waiting list for primary hip and knee arthroplasty as of September 2020 (COVID-19 group) were compared with historical controls (Controls) who had previously undergone surgery. A sample size calculation indicated 452 patients were required to detect a 15% difference in opioid prescription rates between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 548 patients (58.2% female) were included, 260 in the COVID-19 group and 288 in the Controls. Baseline demographics were similar between the groups. For those with data available, the proportion of patients on any opioid at follow-up in the COVID-19 group was significantly higher: 55.0% (143/260) compared with 41.2% (112/272) in the Controls (p=0.002). This remained significant when adjusted for confounding (age, gender, Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, procedure and wait time). The proportion of patients on a strong opioid was similar (4.2% (11/260) vs 4.8% (13/272)) for COVID-19 and Controls, respectively. The median waiting time from referral to follow-up was significantly longer in the COVID-19 group compared with the Controls (455 days vs 365 days; p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The work provides evidence of potential for an emerging opioid problem associated with the influence of COVID-19 on elective arthroplasty services. Viable alternatives to opioid analgesia for those with end-stage arthritis should be explored, and prolonged waiting times for surgery ought to be avoided in the recovery from COVID-19 to prevent more widespread opioid use.

Impact of biomechanics on therapeutic interventions and rehabilitation for major chronic musculoskeletal conditions: A 50-year perspective

The pivotal role of biomechanics in the past 50 years in consolidating the basic knowledge that underpins prevention and rehabilitation measures has made this area a great spotlight for health practitioners. In clinical practice, biomechanics analysis of spatiotemporal, kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic data in various chronic conditions serves to directly enhance deeper understanding of locomotion and the consequences of musculoskeletal dysfunctions in terms of motion and motor control. It also serves to propose straightforward and tailored interventions. The importance of this approach is supported by myriad biomechanical outcomes in clinical trials and by the development of new interventions clearly grounded on biomechanical principles. Over the past five decades, therapeutic interventions have been transformed from fundamentally passive in essence, such as orthoses and footwear, to emphasizing active prevention, including exercise approaches, such as bottom-up and top-down strengthening programs for runners and people with osteoarthritis. These approaches may be far more effective inreducing pain, dysfunction, and, ideally, incidence if they are based on the biomechanical status of the affected person. In this review, we demonstrate evidence of the impact of biomechanics and motion analysis as a foundation for physical therapy/rehabilitation and preventive strategies for three chronic conditions of high worldwide prevalence: diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, knee osteoarthritis, and running-related injuries. We conclude with a summary of recommendations for future studies needed to address current research gaps.

Kinematic study of the overall unloading brace for the knee

Objective

Traditional knee braces unloading forces primarily from a single compartment are insufficient for patients with knee injuries or knee osteoarthritis (KOA) involving multiple compartments. We investigated how knee kinematics were altered by an overall unloading brace (OUB) designed to unload both the medial and lateral tibiofemoral (TF) compartments simultaneously during dynamic movement.

Methods

Gait analysis was performed on 32 adults with normal knee alignment and no history of knee disease. Three-dimensional (3D) knee kinematic data collected during treadmill walking (3 km/h) and jogging (5 km/h) with an optical motion capture system were compared with versus without the OUB.

Results

In the stance phase, wearing the OUB, versus not wearing it, increased the proximal-distal translational range of motion (ROM) of the knee by 4.04 mm (Effect size, ES = 0.97) during walking and by 3.43 mm (ES = 0.97) during jogging, decreased abduction-adduction rotational ROM by 3.09°(ES = 1.05) during walking and by 2.88°(ES = 1.50) during jogging, and decreased internal-external rotation by 2.14°(ES = 0.81) during walking and by 4.66°(ES = 1.61) during jogging. In the swing phase, the OUB increased proximal-distal translational ROM by 12.64 mm (ES = 1.31) during walking and by 9.23 mm (ES = 0.92) during jogging, decreased abduction-adduction rotational ROM by 2.83°(ES = 0.54) during walking and by 3.37°(ES = 0.67) during jogging, and decreased internal-external rotational ROM by 2.71°(ES = 0.68) during jogging.

Conclusions

OUB use increased proximal-distal translation while reducing abduction-adduction rotation. This effect may increase the joint gap of the tibiofemoral joint, thereby reducing joint stress, and may contribute to disease rehabilitation in the knee of clinical orthopedics, rehabilitation, and sports medicine fields. However, additional studies are needed to assess the range of possible clinical and prophylactic benefits of OUB.

Osteoarthritis of the Knee in Middle-age Athletes: Many Measures are Practiced, but Lack Sound Scientific Evidence

Osteoarthritis of the knee generally affects individuals from the fifth decade, the typical age of middle-age athletes. In the early stages, management is conservative and multidisciplinary. It is advisable to avoid sports with high risk of trauma, but it is important that patients continue to be physically active. Conservative management offers several options; however, it is unclear which ones are really useful. This narrative review briefly reports the conservative options for which there is no evidence of effectiveness, or there is only evidence of short-term effectiveness.

Biomechanical Effect of Valgus Knee Braces on the Treatment of Medial Gonarthrosis: A Systematic Review

Background

Valgus braces are prescribed as a common conservative treatment option for patients with medial gonarthrosis to improve their quality of life. Many studies had reviewed the effects of the valgus braces on patients with medial gonarthrosis, while they mainly focused on the knee adduction moment (KAM), with less attention paid to other parameters such as spatiotemporal and morphological parameters.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to review the effects of valgus braces on the spatiotemporal, kinematic/kinetic, morphological, and muscle parameters.

Methods

Based on the selected keywords, a survey of literatures was performed in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using the PRISMA methods, and the search period was established from January 2000 to March 2022.

Results

Thirty-four articles were included. According to the conclusion of these articles, the valgus brace can be used to relieve the symptoms of patients with medial gonarthrosis by decreasing the varus angle, decreasing the KAM, and redistributing the knee compartment loads. However, the effects of valgus braces on other biomechanical parameters (e.g., walking speed, cadence, joint angle, and joint space) had not reached a consensus.

Conclusions

The valgus knee brace can effectively relieve the symptoms of medial gonarthrosis through multiple mechanisms, while there is still some confusion about the effectiveness of the valgus brace on the other biomechanical parameters.

A Comparison of Dynamic and Static Hip-Knee-Ankle Angle during Gait in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients and Healthy Individuals

Malalignment of the lower limbs is the main biomechanical factor for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The static hip-knee-ankle angle (S-HKAA) measured from radiograph is regarded as the "gold standard" of the malalignment. However, many evidences showed that the S-HKAA has no significant correlation with the knee dynamic-load distribution, unlike the dynamic HKAA (D-HKAA). The purpose of this study was to quantitatively analyze the D-HKAA and investigate the relationship between D-HKAA and S-HKAA for both KOA and healthy participants. In this paper, twenty-five healthy subjects and twenty-five medial compartment KOA (M-KOA) patients were recruited. Three-dimensional motion analysis and standing lower-limbs-full-length radiograph were utilized to obtain the D-HKAA and S-HKAA, respectively. The results showed that the mean D-HKAA was more varus than the S-HKAA (p < 0.05). For the mean D-HKAA, larger varus angle was observed in swing phase than stance phase (p < 0.05). Compared with healthy subjects, the M-KOA patients had remarkably smaller S-HKAA and D-HKAA during gait cycle (p < 0.01). For the relationship between the S-HKAA and mean D-HKAA, no significant correlation was found for both healthy subjects and M-KOA patients (r < 0.357, n = 25, p > 0.05, Spearman correlation analysis). In conclusion, the S-HKAA was limited to predict the D-HKAA for both M-KOA patients and healthy subjects. The D-HKAA should be given more attention to the orthopedist and the designer of knee brace and orthotics.

Adenosine A2A receptor null chondrocyte transcriptome resembles that of human osteoarthritic chondrocytes

Adenosine signaling plays a critical role in the maintenance of articular cartilage and may serve as a novel therapeutic for osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent and morbid disease without effective therapeutics in the current market. Mice lacking adenosine A2A receptors (A2AR) develop spontaneous OA by 16 weeks of age, a finding relevant to human OA since loss of adenosine signaling due to diminished adenosine production (NT5E deficiency) also leads to development of OA in mice and humans. To better understand the mechanism by which A2AR and adenosine generation protect from OA development, we examined differential gene expression in neonatal chondrocytes from WT and A2AR null mice. Analysis of differentially expressed genes was analyzed by KEGG pathway analysis, and oPOSSUM and the flatiron database were used to identify transcription factor binding enrichment, and tissue-specific network analyses and patterns were compared to gene expression patterns in chondrocytes from patients with OA. There was a differential expression of 2211 genes (padj<0.05). Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that pro-inflammatory changes, increased metalloprotease, reduced matrix organization, and homeostasis are upregulated in A2AR null chondrocytes. Moreover, stress responses, including autophagy and HIF-1 signaling, seem to be important drivers of OA and bear marked resemblance to the human OA transcriptome. Although A2AR null mice are born with grossly intact articular cartilage, we identify here the molecular foundations for early-onset OA in these mice, further establishing their role as models for human disease and the potential use of adenosine as a treatment for human disease.

Development and Functional Testing of An Unloading Concept for Knee Osteoarthritis Patients: A Pilot Study

This paper presents a knee brace design that applies an extension moment to unload the muscles in stance phase during gait, and thereby the knee, as alternative to conventional valgus braces for knee osteoarthritis patients. The concept was tested on one healthy subject during normal gait with a prototype, which was designed to activate and deactivate in order to apply the extension moment in the stance phase only and hereby avoid any interference during the swing phase. Electromyography measurements and musculoskeletal models were used to evaluate the brace effects on muscle activation and knee compressive forces respectively. Simulations predicted an ideal reduction of up to 36%, whereas experimental tests revealed a reduction of up to 24% with the current prototype. The prototype brace also reduced the knee joint force impulse up to 9% and EMG peak signal of the vasti muscles with up to 19%. Due to these reductions on a healthy subject, this bracing approach seem promising for reducing knee loads during normal gait. However, further clinical experiments on knee osteoarthritis patients are required to evaluate the effect on both pain and disease progression.

Hip and Knee Bracing: Categorization, Treatment Algorithm, and Systematic Review

Hip and knee braces or orthoses are often used to provide support after surgery and to prevent or reduce the severity of injuries. The braces are used for stabilization, immobilization, mechanical correction, and rehabilitation. Hip braces consist of stabilization and unloader variations, whereas knee braces are composed of knee sleeves and patellofemoral, prophylactic, unloader, and functional braces. Indications vary widely and depend on the type of brace. Hip braces can treat osteoarthritis to instability after total hip arthroplasty. Knee brace indications range from mild arthralgias to instability and osteoarthritis. Although braces are routinely used clinically, high-level evidence is sparse for their use. With this review, the different types and uses of hip and knee braces have been defined, and their indications exemplified in hopes of spurring future research.

Effectiveness, safety, and cost-utility of a knee brace in medial knee osteoarthritis: the ERGONOMIE randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

This pragmatic, multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to compare the effectiveness, safety, and cost-utility of a custom-made knee brace versus usual care over 1 year in medial knee osteoarthritis (OA).

DESIGN

120 patients with medial knee OA (VAS pain at rest >40/100), classified as Kellgren-Lawrence grade II-IV, were randomized into two groups: ODRA plus usual care (ODRA group) and usual care alone (UCA group). The primary effectiveness outcome was the change in VAS pain between M0 and M12. Secondary outcomes included changes over 1 year in KOOS (function) and OAKHQOL (quality of life) scores. Drug consumption, compliance, safety of the knee brace, and cost-utility over 1 year were also assessed.

RESULTS

The ODRA group was associated with a higher improvement in: VAS pain (adjusted mean difference of -11.8; 95% CI: -21.1 to -2.5); all KOOS subscales (pain: +8.8; 95% CI: 1.4-16.2); other symptoms (+10.4; 95% CI: 2.7-18); function in activities of daily living (+9.2; 95% CI: 1.1-17.2); function in sports and leisure (+12.3; 95% CI: 4.3-20.3); quality of life (+9.9; 95% CI: 0.9-15.9), OAKHQOL subscales (pain: +14.8; 95% CI: 5.0-24.6); and physical activities (+8.2; 95% CI: 0.6-15.8), and with a significant decrease in analgesics consumption at M12 compared with the UCA group. Despite localized side-effects, observance was good at M12 (median: 5.3 h/day). The ODRA group had a more than 85% chance of being cost-effective for a willingness-to-pay threshold of €45 000 per QALY.

CONCLUSIONS

The ERGONOMIE RCT demonstrated significant clinical benefits of an unloader custom-made knee brace in terms of improvements in pain, function, and some aspects of quality of life over 1 year in medial knee OA, as well as its potential cost-utility from a societal perspective.

RETRACTED: Inhibited microRNA-218-5p attenuates synovial inflammation and cartilage injury in rats with knee osteoarthritis by promoting sclerostin

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. Concern was raised about the reliability of the Western blot results in Figs. 1C and 7B, which appear to have the same eyebrow shaped phenotype as many other publications tabulated here (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/149EjFXVxpwkBXYJOnOHb6RhAqT4a2llhj9LM60MBffM/edit#gid=0). The journal requested the corresponding author comment on these concerns and provide the raw data. However the authors were not able to satisfactorily fulfil this request and therefore the Editor-in-Chief decided to retract the article.

Effects of mechanical interventions in the management of knee osteoarthritis: protocol for an OA Trial Bank systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent and disabling musculoskeletal condition. Biomechanical factors may play a key role in the aetiology of knee OA, therefore, a broad class of interventions involves the application or wear of devices designed to mechanically support knees with OA. These include gait aids, bracing, taping, orthotics and footwear. The literature regarding efficacy of mechanical interventions has been conflicting or inconclusive, and this may be because certain subgroups with knee OA respond better to mechanical interventions. Our primary aim is to identify subgroups with knee OA who respond favourably to mechanical interventions.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will conduct a systematic review to identify randomised clinical trials of any mechanical intervention for the treatment of knee OA. We will invite lead authors of eligible studies to share individual participant data (IPD). We will perform an IPD meta-analysis for each type of mechanical intervention to evaluate efficacy, with our main outcome being pain. Where IPD are not available, this will be achieved using aggregate data. We will then evaluate five potential treatment effect modifiers using a two-stage approach. If data permit, we will also evaluate whether biomechanics mediate the effects of mechanical interventions on pain in knee OA.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

No new data will be collected in this study. We will adhere to institutional, national and international regulations regarding the secure and confidential sharing of IPD, addressing ethics as indicated. We will disseminate findings via international conferences, open-source publication in peer-reviewed journals and summaries posted on websites serving the public and clinicians.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020155466.

Biomechanical Study of a Tricompartmental Unloader Brace for Patellofemoral or Multicompartment Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective: Off-loader knee braces have traditionally focused on redistributing loads away from either the medial or lateral tibiofemoral (TF) compartments. In this article, we study the potential of a novel "tricompartment unloader" (TCU) knee brace intended to simultaneously unload both the patellofemoral (PF) and TF joints during knee flexion. Three different models of the TCU brace are evaluated for their potential to unload the knee joint. Methods: A sagittal plane model of the knee was used to compute PF and TF contact forces, patellar and quadriceps tendon forces, and forces in the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments during a deep knee bend (DKB) test using motion analysis data from eight participants. Forces were computed for the observed (no brace) and simulated braced conditions. A sensitivity and validity analysis was conducted to determine the valid output range for the model, and Statistical Parameter Mapping was used to quantify the effectual region of the different TCU brace models. Results: PF and TF joint force calculations were valid between ~0 and 100 degrees of flexion. All three simulated brace models significantly (p < 0.001) reduced predicted knee joint loads (by 30-50%) across all structures, at knee flexion angles >~30 degrees during DKB. Conclusions: The TCU brace is predicted to reduce PF and TF knee joint contact loads during weight-bearing activity requiring knee flexion angles between 30 and 100 degrees; this effect may be clinically beneficial for pain reduction or rehabilitation from common knee injuries or joint disorders. Future work is needed to assess the range of possible clinical and prophylactic benefits of the TCU brace.

The effect of a knee brace in dynamic motion-An instrumented gait analysis

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common problem in the older population. To reduce pain and stress in the affected knee joint compartment, a functional knee brace is often prescribed by physicians to protect it from high loads.

Objectives

An instrumented gait analysis should evaluate how the 4-point knee orthosis for varus or valgus load relief (M.4s OA) changes the kinematics of the knee, especially in the frontal plane.

Methods

17 healthy participants took part and were analyzed with an inertial sensor system (MyoMotion) giving continuous, objective information on the anatomical angles. The measurements were made both without wearing a knee brace and with the brace in different settings.

Results

The results show a significant reduction in the maximum knee abduction and raised knee adduction. The knee brace, with a strong adjustment in varus or valgus orientation, caused a shift of maximum ab-/adduction in the proposed direction in 69% and 75% of the dynamic tests, respectively. The knee motion in the frontal plane shows individual movement patterns.

Conclusion

The use of the brace leads to significant changes in the knee’s movement. Patient-specific movement patterns may explain different effects of functional knee braces on individual persons. Inertial sensors have been shown to be a low-cost, easy-to-use option for individual movement analysis and further personalized therapy.

Valgus knee bracing may have no long-term effect on pain improvement and functional activity in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized trials

Background

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA), with a high incidence in old-age population, adversely affects their life quality. The valgus knee bracing is an important physical therapy for KOA, but its clinical effects on pain release and functional improvement remained unclear. This meta-analysis is to systematically evaluate the clinical outcomes of valgus knee bracing in patients with KOA.

Methods

A meta-analysis of clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on pain and functional changes in patients with KOA after using valgus knee braces. The search period was ranged from the inception of the database to May 2020. The enrolled research databases included PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Two investigators independently formulated inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria and screened and determined the final enrolled literature. Then the outcome indicators were extracted and organized from the included literature, and the risk of bias was assessed by Cochrane Handbook 5.0.1.

Results

A total of 10 articles were included in this study, including 739 patients. Eight articles were related to the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, and the results showed that RR = − 0.29, 95% CI − 0.73, 0.15], P = 0.20; four articles were related to the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function score, and the results showed that RR = − 0.15, 95% CI [− 0.41, 0.11], P = 0.26; two articles were related to the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and the results showed that RR = 0.58, 95% CI [− 4.25, 5.42], P = 0.81; and three articles were related to the KOOS Activities of Daily Living (KOOS-ADL), and the results showed that RR = 0.04, 95% CI [− 0.62, 0.69], P = 0.91. These results indicated that the valgus knee bracing has no statistical significance in pain and functional activity improvement of patients with KOA. The subgroup analysis showed that the follow-up time was the source of the heterogeneity of the VAS pain score.

Conclusion

Our current evidence suggests that valgus knee bracing may not improve pain release and function activates in KOA patients in the long-term period, but only being beneficial to the short-term rehabilitation.

Effect of Tai Chi Training on Plantar Loads during Walking in Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis

Tai Chi is an available method for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The impacts of Tai Chi on plantar loads of individuals with KOA are not fully understood. 46 participants with knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned into the Tai Chi group (n = 23) or the control group (n = 23). The Tai Chi group attended a 6-month Tai Chi program, and the control group participated in a wellness education program. Novel Pedar-X system was used to collect the peak pressure (PP) and maximum force (MF) during walking before and 6 months after the intervention. Significant higher peak pressure and maximum force were observed in the 4th and 5th metatarsophalangeal joints in the Tai Chi group. However, there were significant declines in the peak pressure of the whole foot and the 2nd and 3rd metatarsophalangeal joints and maximum force of the heel in the control group. These results suggested that individuals with KOA might change the pattern of plantar loads during walking through Tai Chi, and plantar loads would be useful as a parameter to assess the effect of Tai Chi on knee osteoarthritis. This trial is registered with Clinical Trials: CHiCTR-TRC-13003264.

Methods for evaluating effects of unloader knee braces on joint health: a review

The paper aims to provide a state-of-the-art review of methods for evaluating the effectiveness and effect of unloader knee braces on the knee joint and discuss their limitations and future directions. Unloader braces are prescribed as a non-pharmacological conservative treatment option for patients with medial knee osteoarthritis to provide relief in terms of pain reduction, returning to regular physical activities, and enhancing the quality of life. Methods used to evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of these devices on patients' health are categorized into three broad categories (perception-, biochemical-, and morphology-based), depending upon the process and tools used. The main focus of these methods is on the short-term clinical outcome (pain or unloading efficiency). There is a significant technical, research, and clinical literature gap in understanding the short- and long-term consequences of these braces on the tissues in the knee joint, including the cartilage and ligaments. Future research directions may complement existing methods with advanced quantitative imaging (morphological, biochemical, and molecular) and numerical simulation are discussed as they offer potential in assessing long-term and post-bracing effects on the knee joint.