Can a knee brace reduce the strain in the anterior cruciate ligament? A study using combined in vivo/in vitro method. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hangalur, Gajendra; Brenneman, Elora; Nicholls, Micah; Bakker, Ryan; Laing, Andrew; Chandrashekar, Naveen
• Is Part Of: Prosthetics and orthotics international. Volume 40:Number 3(2016:Jun.)
• Page Start: 394
• Page End: 399
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Anterior cruciate ligament -- strain -- injury risk -- bracing -- knee -- ligaments; Orthopedic apparatus -- Periodicals; Prosthesis -- Periodicals; Implants, Artificial -- Periodicals; 617.905
• DOI: 10.1177/0309364615574167
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0309-3646

Abstract

Background and aim: It is unknown whether prophylactic knee braces can reduce the strain in the anterior cruciate ligament during dynamic activities. Technique: An athlete, who had characteristics of high anterior cruciate ligament injury risk, was chosen. A motion capture system (Optotrak Certus; Northern Digital, Waterloo, ON, Canada) was used to record dynamic trials during drop-landing activity of this subject with and without the knee brace being worn. A musculoskeletal model was used to estimate the muscle forces during this activity. A dynamic knee simulator then applied kinematics and muscle forces on a cadaver knee with and without the brace mounted on it. The anterior cruciate ligament strain was measured. Discussion: The peak strain in the anterior cruciate ligament was substantially lower for the braced (7%) versus unbraced (20%) conditions. Functional knee braces could decrease the strain in the anterior cruciate ligament during dynamic activities in a high-risk subject. However, the reduction seems to be a result of altered muscle firing pattern due to the brace. Clinical relevance: Prophylactic knee brace could reduce the strain in the anterior cruciate ligament of high-risk subjects during drop-landing through altered muscle firing pattern associated with brace wear. This could help reduce the anterior cruciate ligament injury risk.