Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Author contributions The authors confirm contribution to this article is as follows: paper conception and design by GD and CL, data collection, analysis, and interpretation of results by GD and JM.
CL provided resources, funding acquisition, and supervision for this article. All authors reviewed the results and approved the final version of the manuscript. Knee orthoses have been extensively used as a nonsurgical approach to improving knee deficiencies. Currently, arthritic knee conditions remain the leading cause of disability, and this number is expected to increase. As the use of knee orthoses varies widely, so has their effectiveness which is still largely debatable.
Here, we present the functions and effectiveness of the three most prominent knee orthotic models dedicated to supporting knee osteoarthritisβunloader, patellofemoral, and knee sleeves.
Considering the depth and diversity of the many clinical studies and documented laboratory reports published to date, this literature review was created to educate the clinician, patient, and researcher on common knee orthoses used for the management of arthritic knee conditions. In doing so, we discuss their design, biomechanical effects, and clinical efficacy, as well as broader outcomes, limitations, and recommendations for use. The knee orthoses discussed within the scope of this paper are dedicated to protecting the knee against strenuous compressive loads that may affect the patellofemoral and tibiofemoral joints of the knee.
Since the knee has multiple axes of motion and articulating surfaces that experience different loads during functional activities, it can be implied that, to a large extent, knee brace designs can differ drastically. Unloader knee orthoses are designed to decrease tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joint pressures.
