Abstract
BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is a common problem in the older population. To reduce pain and stress in the affected knee joint compartment, a functional knee brace is often prescribed by physicians to protect it from high loads.ObjectivesAn instrumented gait analysis should evaluate how the 4-point knee orthosis for varus or valgus load relief (M.4s OA) changes the kinematics of the knee, especially in the frontal plane.Methods17 healthy participants took part and were analyzed with an inertial sensor system (MyoMotion) giving continuous, objective information on the anatomical angles. The measurements were made both without wearing a knee brace and with the brace in different settings.ResultsThe results show a significant reduction in the maximum knee abduction and raised knee adduction. The knee brace, with a strong adjustment in varus or valgus orientation, caused a shift of maximum ab-/adduction in the proposed direction in 69% and 75% of the dynamic tests, respectively. The knee motion in the frontal plane shows individual movement patterns.ConclusionThe use of the brace leads to significant changes in the knee’s movement. Patient-specific movement patterns may explain different effects of functional knee braces on individual persons. Inertial sensors have been shown to be a low-cost, easy-to-use option for individual movement analysis and further personalized therapy.
Highlights
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of musculoskeletal disability in most developed countries [1,2,3,4]
To reduce pain and stress in the affected knee joint compartment, a functional knee brace is often prescribed by physicians to protect it from high loads
The results show a significant reduction in the maximum knee abduction and raised knee adduction
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of musculoskeletal disability in most developed countries [1,2,3,4]. The main problems of OA-patients are pain and reduced mobility [1], patients need walking frames and analgesics [5]. The burden of OA on the population, healthcare system, and the overall economy will continue to increase in the future. From a biomechanical point of view, increased joint loads can cause OA through means of increased joint loads which in turn leads to the destruction of the synovium, bone, and cartilage [5]. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common problem in the older population. To reduce pain and stress in the affected knee joint compartment, a functional knee brace is often prescribed by physicians to protect it from high loads.
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