Biomechanical effect of unloader braces for XXXX of the knee: a systematic review (CRD 42015026136).

@entity1 @entity2270 @entity571 @entity158
PURPOSE: There is a lack of consensus regarding biomechanical effects of unloader braces for the treatment of @entity571 ( @entity571 ) of the knee. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of studies examining the biomechanical effect of unloader braces. METHODS: A systematic search for articles about the biomechanical effect of unloader braces was performed. Primary outcome measure was the influence of the brace on the knee adduction moment. Data sources were Pubmed central and google scholar. RESULTS: Twenty-four articles were included. Twenty articles showed that valgus unloader braces significantly decrease the knee adduction moment. Seven of those studies reported a decrease of @entity158 in braced @entity1 (secondary outcome measure). Positive effects on the knee adduction moment could be found for custom made braces for conventional knee braces and for a foot ankle orthosis. Four studies could not show any effect of knee unloader braces on the knee adduction moment although one of these studies found @entity158 in braced @entity1 . One of these studies examined healthy @entity1 with a @entity2270 . CONCLUSION: This systematic review could demonstrate evidence that unloader braces reduce the adduction moment of the knee. Foresighted, a systematic review about the clinical effect of unloader braces is required.
