Korean J Sports Med.  2018 Jun;36(2):63-70. 10.5763/kjsm.2018.36.2.63.

Functional Brace of Anterior Cruciate Ligament: Systematic Review

• Kim DH
• Lee DW
• Kim JG

• KMID: 2429178
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5763/kjsm.2018.36.2.63

Abstract

Functional knee braces are commonly prescribed to support anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current literature on the use of functional knee braces of ACL with respect to biomechanical, clinical and functional outcomes. A literature search was conducted (2000 to 2017) by two independent reviewers using PubMed MEDLINE database. Articles were retrieved by an electronic search using keywords (anterior cruciate ligament, brace, and bracing) and their combinations. Current functional braces used to treat ACL injury were identified. Studies that met inclusion criteria were assessed for pertinent data. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Functional knee brace reportedly did not improve long-term clinical and functional outcomes following ACL reconstruction, but some studies suggest that functional brace may have some benefit with regard to biomechanics, proprioception, and subsequent injury rates. Functional knee brace after ACL reconstruction was found no significant difference in clinical and functional outcomes. But Further large-scale recent studies will be required to determine long-term outcomes of the brace.

Keyword

Anterior cruciate ligament; Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; Braces; Ligaments; Review

MeSH Terms

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Anterior Cruciate Ligament*
Braces*
Knee
Ligaments
Proprioception

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Flow diagram of the systematic review process.

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  Fig. 2 Photograph of four points of leverage system functional brace.

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