Abstract
Context: Patellofemoral Pain (PFPS) accounts for up to 25% of knee injuries in sports medicine clinics, with up to 91% of symptoms unresolved after conservative treatment at 5 years. The variability of response to treatment reflects its multi-factorial biomechanical etiologies. Bracing has been utilized to modify patellofemoral kinematics, generally by increasing patellofemoral contact area. The DJO Reaction orthosis is unique in its shock-absorbing elastomeric design, which is created to dissipate peak stress and enhance patellar tracking. Objective: To assess whether the DJO Reaction Brace reduces pain and improves functional outcomes in patients with chronic PFPS. Design: Cohort Series. Setting: Academic Sports Medicine Clinic. Patients: Twenty-two individuals between 18 and 40 years old with chronic patellofemoral pain have failed conservative treatment. Intervention: DJO Reaction Brace. Main Outcome Measures: Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. Results: Seven males and 10 females with an age range of 19 - 39 years old complete the study. At an average follow-up time of 55 days, the Kujala score significantly improves by 9.8%, and KOOS Scores increase by the following statistically significant amounts: symptom 3.2%, pain 10.7%, sports and recreation 12.9%, quality of life 20.2%. Conclusion: The DJO Reaction orthosis reduces knee pain, increases function, and enhances quality of life with individuals with PFPS and is effective in the conservative care of patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Highlights
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a condition characterized by insidious onset anterior knee pain that is
PFPS is remarkably common, accounting for up to 25% of all knee injuries presenting to sports medicine clinics [2]
Mounting evidence suggests that despite conservative care, PFPS persists in 80% 91% of individuals at 5-year follow-up [4]
Summary
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a condition characterized by insidious onset anterior knee pain that isHow to cite this paper: Khadavi, M.J., Chen, Y.T. and Fredericson, M. (2015) A Novel Knee Orthosis in the Treatment of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. (2015) A Novel Knee Orthosis in the Treatment of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. Current understanding supports a multifactorial basis in which a diverse array of contributing factors result in excessive patellofemoral joint stress. Conservative care for PFPS has emphasized: strengthening the quadriceps and hip abductors; improving flexibility of the rectus femoris, hamstrings, calves, and hip flexors; decreasing excessive pronation at the foot through foot orthoses; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications; and taping or bracing to alter patellofemoral joint mechanics [3]. The chronicity and variability of response to treatment likely reflects the diverse and multifactorial mechanisms that lead to increased patellofemoral joint stress and resultant pain and disability. At this time, individual responses to specific conservative strategies in isolation are unpredictable [5]
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