PURPOSE: A controversial discussion is held on using stabilizing knee braces after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. The current study investigated the influence of a stabilizing knee brace on results after ACL reconstruction using patellar tendon autografts. METHODS: A prospective randomized study was started including 64 patients divided into two equal groups and treated with or without astabilizing knee brace for 6 weeks post-operatively. A follow-up examination 4 years after operation comprised IKDC 2000, KT1000 measurement, a visual analogue pain scale (VAS; scores 0-10) and radiographic evaluation. The t test for independent and paired samples and the Pearson's Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis (p < 0.05). The primary endpoint was the difference in IKDC classification. RESULTS: Eighty-one per cent of the patients were examined 4 years post-operatively. IKDC 2000 subjective (brace group 90.5 ± 8.9, braceless group 93.2 ± 6.1) and objective results (brace A 30%, B 56%, C 16%; braceless A 32%, B 48%, C 20%) and instrumental measurement of anteroposterior laxity with KT1000 (brace 0.6 ± 2.4 mm, braceless 1.8 ± 3.4 mm) showed no significant differences. VAS pain results were significantly better in the braceless group at 1.0 ± 1.2 versus 1.9 ± 1.4 under sports activity or heavy physical work (p = 0.015). There were no radiographic differences concerning osteoarthritic findings and tunnel widening between the groups. CONCLUSION: Post-operative treatment with a stabilizing knee brace after ACL replacement showed no advantage over treatment without a brace at 4-year follow-up. The use of a knee-stabilizing brace after isolated ACL reconstruction with autologous patellar tendon graft is not recommended. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE: A controversial discussion is held on using stabilizing knee braces after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. The current study investigated the influence of a stabilizing knee brace on results after ACL reconstruction using patellar tendon autografts. METHODS: A prospective randomized study was started including 64 patients divided into two equal groups and treated with or without a stabilizing knee brace for 6 weeks post-operatively. A follow-up examination 4 years after operation comprised IKDC 2000, KT1000 measurement, a visual analogue pain scale (VAS; scores 0-10) and radiographic evaluation. The t test for independent and paired samples and the Pearson's Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis (p < 0.05). The primary endpoint was the difference in IKDC classification. RESULTS: Eighty-one per cent of the patients were examined 4 years post-operatively. IKDC 2000 subjective (brace group 90.5 ± 8.9, braceless group 93.2 ± 6.1) and objective results (brace A 30%, B 56%, C 16%; braceless A 32%, B 48%, C 20%) and instrumental measurement of anteroposterior laxity with KT1000 (brace 0.6 ± 2.4 mm, braceless 1.8 ± 3.4 mm) showed no significant differences. VAS pain results were significantly better in the braceless group at 1.0 ± 1.2 versus 1.9 ± 1.4 under sports activity or heavy physical work (p = 0.015). There were no radiographic differences concerning osteoarthritic findings and tunnel widening between the groups. CONCLUSION: Post-operative treatment with a stabilizing knee brace after ACL replacement showed no advantage over treatment without a brace at 4-year follow-up. The use of a knee-stabilizing brace after isolated ACL reconstruction with autologous patellar tendon graft is not recommended. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.
Authors: S Lippross; G Prange; K Oehlert; O Katharina; O Furkmann; A Seekamp; J Hassenpflug; D Varoga Journal: Z Orthop Unfall Date: 2010-03 Impact factor: 0.923
Authors: Trevor B Birmingham; Dianne M Bryant; J Robert Giffin; Robert B Litchfield; John F Kramer; Allan Donner; Peter J Fowler Journal: Am J Sports Med Date: 2008-01-11 Impact factor: 6.202
Authors: Philipp Minzlaff; Thomas Heidt; Matthias J Feucht; Johannes E Plath; Stefan Hinterwimmer; Andreas B Imhoff; Tim Saier Journal: Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc Date: 2017-06-26 Impact factor: 4.342
Authors: Adam C Lieber; Michael E Steinhaus; Joseph N Liu; Daniel Hurwit; Theresa Chiaia; Sabrina M Strickland Journal: Orthop J Sports Med Date: 2019-07-02
Authors: Johannes Glasbrenner; Michael J Raschke; Christoph Kittl; Elmar Herbst; Christian Peez; Thorben Briese; Philipp A Michel; Mirco Herbort; Clemens Kösters; Benedikt Schliemann Journal: Am J Sports Med Date: 2022-08-25 Impact factor: 7.010