PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “BRACES”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

[To brace or not to brace? How effective are knee braces in rehabilitation?].

Since the clinical benefit of knee braces has yet to be defined, discussion about braces after reconstructive surgery of the anterior cruciate ligament remains controversial. The use of prophylactic braces in sport did not prove to be effective. In ACL insufficient knee joints, the operative treatment is preferred over the use of functional knee braces. Therefore, the postoperative rehabilitation presents the main application of braces. Modern operative techniques with an initial strong fixation of the ACL graft make a functional postoperative treatment without external fixation possible. In the presented meta-analysis of the literature about knee braces, results from clinical and experimental studies are compared. No published clinical data have shown that braces have any effect on postoperative outcome after ACL-reconstruction. Also, no evidence of a significant bracing effect could be demonstrated in the experimental in vivo or in vitro studies, except a limited stabilizing function for lower shear stress below the physiological loads. Consequently, the systematic use of braces in the rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction cannot be recommended.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament↗
PubMed2006

The Sforzesco brace and SPoRT concept (Symmetric, Patient-oriented, Rigid, Three-dimensional) versus the Lyon brace and 3-point systems for bracing idiopathic scoliosis.

UNLABELLED: We have developed a new rigid brace, the Sforzesco brace, according to a new concept SPoRT (Symmetric, Patient-oriented, Rigid, Three-dimensional, active). The aim of this study is to verify the first results of the SPoRT concept compared to a classical 3 point system. DESIGN: A pair-controlled retrospective study. POPULATION: 15 Patients (22 females), 14.0+/-1.7 years, 39.8+/-9.8 degrees Cobb ( degrees C). We examined for differences between the two groups, at the start with SPoRT worst than LY. All degrees C and degrees B parameters (maximal, average and single localizations) decreased significantly in both groups, apart from thoracic degrees C in LY. SPoRT had better results than LY (P<0.05) for maximal degrees C and average degrees C. Moreover, degrees C clinical results were better (P<0.05) in SPoRT than LY. SPoRT had better results than LY in aesthetic (P<0.05) of the shoulders and waists. Brace is effective in the short term also in high degree curves, and SPoRT obtained statistically significant 80% better degrees C results than LY in the worst scoliosis curve, and 40% in the average of all curves, as well as better aesthetic.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Nighttime bracing with the Providence brace in adolescent girls with idiopathic scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study was conducted of 102 consecutive female patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Those patients with Risser 0, 1, and 2 met the criteria for inclusion and were treated only with the Providence brace. OBJECTIVES: To report the authors' experience with a hypercorrective nighttime brace and to evaluate the results with respect to risk factors for progression. Second, the study compares results with expectations from the natural history as reported by others. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Compliance with full-time brace treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis has been a problem. Since the introduction of the Milwaukee brace, alternatives such as low-profile braces, reduced wearing schedules, and nighttime only bracing have been tried. However, many factors influence the success or failure besides compliance. These include in-brace correction, brace design, and the orthotist's skills. This is the first report of the results of treatment with a new nighttime brace that is made with CAD/CAM technology that can achieve higher initial in-brace corrections than other reported methods. METHODS: Results were analyzed with respect to curve size, curve pattern, maturity, and level of the primary curve apex. Both compliant and noncompliant patients were included in the analysis. A univariate analysis was done on those factors thought to influence success with bracing using the Pearson chi2 test. RESULTS: The average initial in-brace correction with a supine radiograph was 96% for major curves and 98% for minor curves. Seventy-five patients (74%) did not progress >5 degrees and 27 patients (26%) progressed > or =6 degrees or went on to surgery. Twenty-nine percent of Risser 0 or 1 patients progressed and 17% of patients Risser 2 progressed. The risk of progression anticipated by natural history data, which included all curve patterns, was 68% for Risser 0 and 1 and 23% for Risser 2. Risser 3 and 4 patients were excluded from the study. Seventy-six percent of patients with curve apexes between T8 and L1 had successful outcomes using the Providence brace. This is compared with a 74% success rate in the prospective Scoliosis Research Society study of patients wearing a thoraco lumbar sacral orthosis for 16 hours per day with curve apexes between T8 and L1. With the Providence brace, 63% of thoracic curves and 65% of double curves were successful. Ninety-four percent of lumbar curves and 93% of thoracolumbar curves were successful. CONCLUSION: Excellent initial in-brace correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis was observed with this computer-designed and manufactured recumbent brace. Patients with high apex curves cephalad to T8 (n = 31) had a success rate of 61% compared with a success rate of 79% (n = 71) if the apex was at or below T9. Compared with previous natural history and the prospective study data, the Providence brace is effective in preventing progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis for curves <35 degrees. It was effective for larger curves with a low apex. The authors' experience with patients with curves >35 degrees (n = 8) is too small to validate its effectiveness for larger curves with a higher apex.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Results of brace treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in boys compared with girls: a retrospective study of 102 patients treated with the Boston brace.

The aim of the study was to compare the results of brace treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) in male patients with matched female patients and to assess the effectiveness of bracing of boys in AIS and to discuss the results with published data. Between 1987 and 1995, 51 consecutive male patients with AIS were treated with the Boston brace. The patients were advised to wear the brace 23 h/day. The medical records of all patients were reviewed. Cobb angles and Risser signs were measured before bracing, in brace, at brace discontinuation and at final follow-up. Everyone of 51 male patients was compared with a female patient who was treated by the same method and matched by Risser sign, curve pattern, curve magnitude and duration of treatment and follow-up time. Compliance with brace was noted at every visit. Fourteen boys had worn the brace only during nighttime or occasionally and were considered non-compliant. Only compliant patients with treatment period > 1 year and follow-up > 1 year after treatment were accepted for the analyses of effectiveness of brace treatment and its prognostic factors. Thirty-three boys met these inclusion criteria. Bracing was considered to have a failure if > 5 degrees progression occurred or if surgery was performed. At the final follow-up study progression > 5 degrees was found in 16/51 (31.4%) of male patients. Corresponding figures of female patients were 11/51 (21.6%), respectively. In compliant boys progression > 5 degrees occurred in 6/33 boys compared with 9/33 girls. The association between risk of progression and correction% in brace was statistically significant. The overall results of brace treatment of idiopathic scoliosis in male patients were inferior compared with matched females. One reason for inferior overall results in boys was poor compliance with brace wear. However, brace treatment in AIS may be recommended with the same principles in both genders.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Standardization of criteria for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis brace studies: SRS Committee on Bracing and Nonoperative Management.

STUDY DESIGN: Literature review. OBJECTIVE: To establish consistent parameters for future adolescent idiopathic scoliosis bracing studies so that valid and reliable comparisons can be made. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Current bracing literature lacks consistency for both inclusion criteria and the definitions of brace effectiveness. METHODS: A total of 32 brace treatment studies and the current bracing in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis proposal were analyzed to: (1) determine inclusion criteria that will best identify those patients most at risk for progression, (2) determine the most appropriate definitions for bracing effectiveness, and (3) identify additional variables that would provide valuable information. RESULTS: Early brace studies lacked clarity in their inclusion criteria. In more recent studies, inclusion criteria have narrowed considerably to include primarily those patients most at risk for curve progression who may benefit from the use of a brace. Brace effectiveness was usually defined by various degrees of curve progression at maturity. Less frequently, it was defined by the resultant curve magnitude at maturity, whether or not surgical intervention was needed, or if there was change to another brace. CONCLUSIONS: Optimal inclusion criteria for future adolescent idiopathic scoliosis brace studies consist of: age is 10 years or older when brace is prescribed, Risser 0-2, primary curve angles 25 degrees -40 degrees , no prior treatment, and, if female, either premenarchal or less than 1 year postmenarchal. Assessment of brace effectiveness should include: (1) the percentage of patients who have < or =5 degrees curve progression and the percentage of patients who have > or =6 degrees progression at maturity, (2) the percentage of patients with curves exceeding 45 degrees at maturity and the percentage who have had surgery recommended/undertaken, and (3) 2-year follow-up beyond maturity to determine the percentage of patients who subsequently undergo surgery. All patients, regardless of subjective reports on compliance, should be included in the results (intent to treat). Every study should provide results stratified by curve type and size grouping.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

A comparison between the Boston brace and the Charleston bending brace in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: The authors studied 319 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated at the same institution with either a Boston brace or a Charleston bending brace. OBJECTIVES: To determine if both orthoses are equally effective in stopping curve progression and preventing the need for surgical correction. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Early reports suggest that the Charleston brace may be comparable to the Boston brace in its effectiveness and that both braces positively influence the natural history of idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS: Skeletally immature (Risser 0, 1, or 2) patients with idiopathic scoliosis who were 10 years old or older at the time of brace prescription, had curves from 25 degrees to 45 degrees, and had no prior treatment were studied retrospectively. All measurements were collected by a single observer, and all patients were followed up to skeletal maturity. RESULTS: The Boston brace is more effective than the Charleston brace, both in preventing curve progression and in avoiding the need for surgery. These findings were most notable for patients with curves of 36 degrees-45 degrees, in whom 83% of the those treated with a Charleston brace had curve progression of more than 5 degrees, compared with 43% of those treated with the Boston brace (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: When given the choice between these two orthoses in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, the authors recommend use of the Boston brace. The Charleston brace should be considered only in the treatment of smaller single thoracolumbar or single lumbar curves.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The biomechanics of lateral knee bracing. Part II: Impact response of the braced knee.

In Part I of our study on lateral knee bracing, we evaluated brace effectiveness using cadaveric knees and two commercially available braces (McDavid and Omni). The results indicated that for low-rate dynamic valgus loading, neither brace provided significant protection against MCL injury. Also, four potentially adverse effects were noted. The goals in Part II were to: 1) determine the clinical significance of brace induced MCL preload; 2) define the functional character of an "ideal" brace; 3) design and validate a surrogate knee model for testing brace effectiveness; and 4) determine brace performance under impact loading using the surrogate knee and six commercially available brace types (manufactured by DonJoy, McDavid, Mueller, Omni Scientific, Stromgren-Scott, and Tru-Fit). Knee braces, modified to measure varus/valgus bending force, were used to determine MCL preload effects in 13 human volunteers. An anatomically correct surrogate knee model, instrumented to measure ligament/tendon tension and medial joint opening, was developed and validated using information from our previous cadaver studies and results of analyses on the effects of high strain rates (100% versus 1000% strain/sec) on MCL failure. Over 500 impact tests were performed on the surrogate knee in unbraced versus braced conditions. Tests were conducted for three impactor masses, two flexion angles, and free or constrained limb positions. Impact safety factors (ISF) were calculated for each test condition and brace type. An ISF of 1.50 (MCL load reduction of 30%) was considered significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed2006

Efficacy of the symmetric, patient-oriented, rigid, three-dimensional, active (SPoRT) concept of bracing for scoliosis: a prospective study of the Sforzesco versus Lyon brace.

AIM: Bracing is considered to be effective in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The concept prevailing today includes an asymmetrical construction, mainly using a mechanical three-point system. We developed the new Sforzesco brace, based on the SPoRT concept (Symmetric, Patient-oriented, Rigid, Three-dimensional, active). The aim of this study is to verify the results of this concept and brace, compared to three-point classical systems. METHODS: We performed a prospective, pair-controlled study. It was possible to match 15 patients, out of the first 18 consecutively treated with the Sforzesco brace (Group SPoRT), with previous patients treated with the Lyon brace (Group LY). SPoRT included 14.2+/-1.7 year old patients, with 47+/-7 degrees Cobb worst curves, and 11+/-4 degrees Bunnell; LY included 13.6+/-1.6 year old patients, with 43+/-7 degrees Cobb and 12+/-5 degrees Bunnell. The brace had to be worn 23 h per day and patients were evaluated after 6 months both clinically and radiographically (without the brace). Appropriate statistics were used. RESULTS: At the baseline there were slight differences between the groups, with SPoRT worse than LY. All radiographic and clinical parameters decreased significantly with treatment in both groups, apart from thoracic Cobb degrees in LY. SPoRT had better results than LY (P<0.05) radiographically (worst curve -10+/-5 degrees vs -5+/-7 degrees, all curves -8+/-7 degrees vs -6+/-7 degrees), for sagittal profile (distance from plumbline: T12 -6+/-9 mm vs +2+/-8 and L3 -7+/-12 vs 0+/-10) and aesthetics of the shoulders (9 improved and 6 unchanged vs 5 and 8) and waists (10 improved and 5 unchanged vs 5 and 8). Finally, clinical results in terms of patient recovery were better in SPoRT than LY (12 improved and 3 unchanged vs 8 and 5). CONCLUSION: When a new treatment is introduced, it is not possible to wait years (end of therapy) before verifying its utility, and in scoliosis bracing a short term study already gives very important clues. This study confirms the immediate efficacy of brace treatment (even in such high degree cases) whatever the brace concept used, with only 2 (out of 30) progressed curves. In SPoRT we had no progressions, and obtained a statistically significant 80% better radiographic results than LY in the worst scoliosis curve, and 40% in the average of all curves, as well as improved aesthetics and sagittal profile (that is crucial in scoliosis bracing). The Sforzesco brace should be used, and the SPoRT concept explored in the long term to verify if the classical three-point system should be totally (or partially) abandoned.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Prediction of brace treatment outcomes by monitoring brace usage.

Brace treatment is the most commonly used non-surgical treatment method for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). This study determined whether curve progression can be predicted by how often and how well children with AIS wear their braces. Twenty subjects (3M, 17F) who were diagnosed with AIS and had worn their braces from six months up to 1 year participated into this study. All subjects were prescribed Boston style braces and have now completed their brace treatment. On average, the brace was used 57% of the prescribed time. Peterson's risk of progression (Risser sign, age, apex of curve and imbalance of curve) predicted only 3-8% of the curve progression of brace subjects. Knowing how brace subjects used their braces in terms of brace tightness increases the prediction rate to 12-21%; and wear time further increase it to 25-36%. Adding the multiple of brace tightness and wear time improves curve progression prediction to 41-54%. To be most effective, the brace should be worn as prescribed in both tightness and time manners.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Improving brace wear with active brace system.

There is considerable controversy regarding the effectiveness of brace treatment for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Researchers believe that to be effective, patients must wear their braces as prescribed including both compliance and tightness. Compliance is how much time the brace is worn relative to the prescribed time. Brace tightness is usually prescribed by orthotists during brace fitting session. Asking the patient or examining the brace for wear are the most common methods to evaluate the brace usage. A low powered microcomputer system was developed to monitor and maintain loads exerted by braces used to treat children with spinal deformities during daily living. This system records brace usage information and helps patients to wear their brace at the prescribed tightness. Laboratory tests have been performed and six patients have used the system for four weeks. The patients reported that the system helped them to wear the brace properly. The time that the patients wore the braces at the prescribed tightness level increased from 48+/-16% during the monitor period (first 2 weeks) to 63+/-18% during the automatic adjustment period (last 2 weeks).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Braced for impact: reducing military paratroopers' ankle sprains using outside-the-boot braces.

BACKGROUND: Ankle injuries account for 30 to 60% of all parachuting injuries. This study was designed to determine if outside-the-boot ankle braces could reduce ankle sprains during Army paratrooper training. METHODS: The randomized trial involved 777 volunteers from the U.S. Army Airborne School, Fort Benning, Ga. Of this group, 745 completed all study requirements (369 brace-wearers and 376 non-brace-wearers). Each volunteer made five parachute jumps, for a total of 3,674 jumps. RESULTS: The incidence of inversion ankle sprains was 1.9% in non-brace-wearers and 0.3% in brace-wearers (risk ratio, 6.9; p = 0.04). Other injuries appeared unaffected by the brace. Overall, 5.3% of the non-brace group and 4.6% of the brace group experienced at least one injury. The risk ratio for injured individuals was 1.2:1 (non-brace to brace groups; p = 0.65). CONCLUSION: Inversion ankle sprains during parachute training can be significantly reduced by using an outside-the-boot ankle brace, with no increase in risk for other injuries.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Comparison between braced and non-braced Legg-Calvé-Perthes-disease patients: a radiological outcome study.

Twenty-three hips of 23 Legg-Calvé-Perthes-disease (LCPD) patients treated with abduction orthosis and 28 hips of 25 non-braced LCPD patients were evaluated radiologically retrospectively. The mean age of the brace group was 6.82 years and the mean follow-up was 12.30 years. The mean age and mean follow-up were 7.03 and 17.85 years for non-braced patients, respectively. The hips were evaluated according to lateral pillar classification. There were eight Herring A, 15 Herring B and five Herring C hips in the non-braced patients group; and there were five Herring A, 11 Herring-B and seven Herring C hips in the brace group. The groups were similar in terms of mean age, mean follow-up, sex distribution and lateral pillar grade. Patients' end results were evaluated according to Stulberg classification. All Herring A patients healed with Stulberg class 1 or 2, either braced or non-braced. Fifty-three percent of non-braced hips and 65% of the hips treated with brace healed with satisfactory radiological outcome. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of end result. The overall results of this study suggest that Herring's lateral pillar classification is a useful system for the prediction of the long-term outcome of the disease and that there was no significant difference between the braced and non-braced patients in terms of radiological end result.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2004

Biomechanical evaluation of the Boston brace system for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: relationship between strap tension and brace interface forces.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study to evaluate the association between strap tension and brace interface forces in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using the Boston brace system. OBJECTIVES: To determine the strap tension associated with optimal brace interface forces. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Trim lines, pad placement, and areas of relief for the brace are guided by radiographic studies. However, optimal adjustment of strap tension is unclear and remains mostly empirical. METHODS: Brace interface forces in all regions of the trunk were measured for 41 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis at three standardized strap tensions (20 N, 40 N, and 60 N). The brace interface forces were assessed using a mat made of force-sensing transducers. Equivalent interface pressure for each trunk region was also calculated to estimate the distribution of the interface forces. RESULTS: The brace interface forces and the corresponding effective areas increased along with the strap tension for all patients. For patients with a single right thoracic curve, the interface pressure tended to increase with increasing strap tension. This increase was significant in the left axillary, right thoracic, right pelvic, and sternal regions. For double right thoracic-left lumbar curves, the increase in interface pressure was significant in the left axillary, right pelvic, and sternal regions. However, most of this increase occurred between 20 N and 40 N of strap tension, with only slight increase or even a decrease in interface pressures between 40 N and 60 N. CONCLUSIONS: The strap tension should be set as high as possible (up to 60 N) for right thoracic curves. For right thoracic-left lumbar curves, the optimal strap tension was approximately 40 N. However, clinicians should ensure that the prescribed strap tension does not cause excessive skin pressure or affect the compliance with the brace. A side opening in the right lumbar area may improve the effectiveness of the brace for double right thoracic-left lumbar curves, but care must be taken to avoid skin problems at the opening.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The use of knee braces, part 1: Prophylactic knee braces in contact sports.

Surrogate knee model biomechanical studies have indicated that off-the-shelf braces provide 20% to 30% greater resistance to a lateral blow when the knee is in full extension. Custom functional braces doubled the protective effects and proved effective with the knee in some flexion. Although functional performance studies are not consistent, preventive knee braces may slow straight-ahead sprint speed, cause early fatigue, and increase muscular relaxation pressures, energy expenditure, blood lactate levels, maximal torque output, oxygen consumption, and heart rate. Two epidemiologic studies have been performed. At West Point, a randomized control study of 71 injuries in 1396 cadets indicated knee brace effectiveness with a statistically higher rate of injury in the control group (3.4/1000 exposures) than in the braced group (1.5/1000 exposures), with the most significance for medial collateral ligament sprains in defensive players. The Big Ten Conference conducted a descriptive study of 100 medial collateral ligament sprains among 987 players in different positions, strings, and types of session. Brace-wear tendency varied directly with the unbraced player counterpart's risk of medial collateral ligament sprain, with the nonplayer linemen experiencing both the greatest risk of unbraced practice session injury (0.0801 injuries/1000 exposures) and the highest incidence of brace wear (85%). During practices, there was a nonsignificant but very consistent reduction in injury rate for braced players in every position and string. During games, there was also a reduced rate for linemen and the linebacker/tight end group. The study concluded that although the issue is not closed, preventive knee braces appear to offer some protection to the medial collateral ligament from a contact injury involving a valgus blow, but there may be negative effects on performance level, leg cramping, and fatigue symptoms.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries↗
PubMed1980

The halo-shoulder brace and the mandibular-shoulder brace as postoperative supports following spinal fusion.

Bracing of the cervical spine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and instability due to metastases poses special problems. Because of asymmetry, a tender bony or cutaneous swelling or tender skin, difficulties arise in fitting a mass-produced brace. In order to overcome these difficulties a carefully moulded made-to-measure halo-shoulder brace and also a mandibular-shoulder brace were developed. The halo-shoulder brace (a halo connected with 4 rods to a shoulder girdle) provides an effective means of postoperatively controlling the unstable cervical spine until the graft unites. The brace is well tolerated by the patient and facilitates early postoperative mobility. The mandibular-shoulder brace (a similar shoulder girdle with a mandibular and an occipital part), also well tolerated by the patient, is used after the halo-shoulder brace during consolidation of the graft and also to support the neck in patients who for other reasons require a collar but who cannot tolerate a normal readymade appliance. The manufacture of the braces, their effectiveness and a series of 13 patients are described.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Pilot study comparing parents' and third-grade schoolchildren's attitudes toward braces and perceived need for braces.

An instrument developed for third-grade schoolchildren and their parents was pilot-tested for its ability to measure orthodontic attitudes and perception of the child's need for braces. Seventy-eight children and 54 parents were surveyed. Forty-six percent of the children wanted braces while 61% believed that they needed braces. Correlation between desire for braces and perceived need was 0.47, suggesting that desire and perceived need were only moderately correlated in children. Sixty-three percent of the parents believed that their child needed braces. Despite such proportions of children and parents perceiving a need for treatment, three-fourths of the children and two-thirds of the parents were satisfied with the appearance of the child's teeth. Attitude subscales, derived from the attitude survey, and clinical orthodontic parameters were used to model children's and parents' perceived need for braces in the child. No clinical parameter was a significant correlate in either children's or parents' model of perceived need. Neither race nor gender contributed significantly to either model. The subscales Concern for Appearance and Social Aspects of Braces were the strongest covariates of children's perceived need for braces. Concern for Appearance was the most important correlate in the parents' model. These data suggest that parents' perceived need for orthodontic treatment for their third-grade children is determined primarily by a concern for appearance rather than clinical status. In third-graders, perceived aesthetics and social aspects apparently have more influence than clinical status in creating a perception of need for braces.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bracing the anterior cruciate ligament deficient knee using the Lenox Hill derotation brace.

The Lenox Hill derotation brace fashioned by Castiglia and his staff at the Lenox Hill Hospital Brace Shop (New York, New York) under the direction of Nicholas during the 1960s has been worn successfully by thousands of patients with unstable knees, including elderly arthritic patients, adolescents with congenital instability, and professional athletes. Nearly 9000 braces were worn by patients in the United States during the period from 1976 to 1980. The brace, with its sliding axis of motion, corresponds to the axis of movement in the knee. The combination Lenox Hill brace includes not only the sliding axis of motion, but also a second below-knee leg pad, second derotation strap, and hyper-extension stop. It is designed to resist the combination anteromedial-rotatory, anterolateral-rotatory, and anteromediolateral-rotatory instabilities. More than 70% of the braces prescribed during the last five years have been the combination type. The derotation brace is a significant advance in brace designs for supporting chronic unstable and surgically reconstructed knees. It can function effectively even when the wearer is actively participating in sports.

Athletic Injuries↗