Alternatives to Knee Braces

 

 Buy Article Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Knee braces continue to be a widely utilized piece of medical equipment, ranging from simple over the counter sleeves to more complex functional braces, with the ability to provide electrical stimulation to muscle groups. Despite their popularity, alternatives to knee braces exist for patients who find braces to be ineffective, uncomfortable, cumbersome, or overly expensive. While high-quality studies are lacking for modalities such as neoprene sleeves, compression stockings, and kinesiotaping, there is promising evidence that these interventions can confer an element of stability and pain relief for a variety of knee pathologies both with regard to acute and chronic injuries as well as in the postoperative rehabilitation period. While no “holy grail” exists for the ideal brace, or bracing alternative, it is important for providers to be aware of the options available to patients as well as the current evidence for these various modalities, so that the provider can best guide musculoskeletal care.

Publication History

Received: 27 July 2021

Accepted: 18 August 2021

Article published online:
02 October 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

• References

• 1 Kemker III BP, Kankaria R, Patel N, Golladay G. Hip and knee bracing: categorization, treatment algorithm, and systematic review. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev 2021; 5 (06) 00181-12
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 2 Yang XG, Feng JT, He X, Wang F, Hu YC. The effect of knee bracing on the knee function and stability following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2019; 105 (06) 1107-1114
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 3 Gentile JM, O'Brien MC, Conrad B, Horodyski M, Bruner ML, Farmer KW. A biomechanical comparison shows no difference between two knee braces used for medial collateral ligament injuries. Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil 2021; 3 (03) e901-e907
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 4 Ramsey DK, Russell ME. Unloader braces for medial compartment knee osteoarthritis: implications on mediating progression. Sports Health 2009; 1 (05) 416-426
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 5 Vina ER, Kwoh CK. Epidemiology of osteoarthritis: literature update. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2018; 30 (02) 160-167
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 6 Yu SP, Williams M, Eyles JP, Chen JS, Makovey J, Hunter DJ. Effectiveness of knee bracing in osteoarthritis: pragmatic trial in a multidisciplinary clinic. Int J Rheum Dis 2016; 19 (03) 279-286
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 7 Salata MJ, Gibbs AE, Sekiya JK. The effectiveness of prophylactic knee bracing in american football: a systematic review. Sports Health 2010; 2 (05) 375-379
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 8 Bodendorfer BM, Arnold NR, Shu HT. et al. Do neoprene sleeves and prophylactic knee braces affect neuromuscular control and cutting agility?. Phys Ther Sport 2019; 39: 23-31
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 9 Woo DK, Militello G, James WD. Neoprene. Dermatitis 2004; 15 (04) 206-209
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 10 Kumar D, Sarangi S. Data on the viscoelastic behavior of neoprene rubber. Data Brief 2018; 21: 943-947
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 11 Moyer RF, Birmingham TB, Bryant DM, Giffin JR, Marriott KA, Leitch KM. Biomechanical effects of valgus knee bracing: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2015; 23 (02) 178-188
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 12 Kwaees TA, Richards J, Rawlinson G, Charalambous CP, Chohan A. Can the use of proprioceptive knee braces have implications in the management of osteoarthritic knees: An exploratory study. Prosthet Orthot Int 2019; 43 (02) 140-147
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 13 Fridén T, Roberts D, Ageberg E, Waldén M, Zätterström R. Review of knee proprioception and the relation to extremity function after an anterior cruciate ligament rupture. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2001; 31 (10) 567-576
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 14 Dhillon MS, Bali K, Prabhakar S. Proprioception in anterior cruciate ligament deficient knees and its relevance in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Indian J Orthop 2011; 45 (04) 294-300
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 15 Jackson DW, Simon TM, Lowery W, Gendler E. Biologic remodeling after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a collagen matrix derived from demineralized bone. An experimental study in the goat model. Am J Sports Med 1996; 24 (04) 405-414
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 16 Noyes FR, Butler DL, Grood ES, Zernicke RF, Hefzy MS. Biomechanical analysis of human ligament grafts used in knee-ligament repairs and reconstructions. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1984; 66 (03) 344-352
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 17 Borsa PA, Lephart SM, Irrgang JJ, Safran MR, Fu FH. The effects of joint position and direction of joint motion on proprioceptive sensibility in anterior cruciate ligament-deficient athletes. Am J Sports Med 1997; 25 (03) 336-340
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 18 Sharma L. Proprioceptive impairment in knee osteoarthritis. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 1999; 25 (02) 299-314 , vi
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 19 Lund H, Juul-Kristensen B, Hansen K. et al. Movement detection impaired in patients with knee osteoarthritis compared to healthy controls: a cross-sectional case-control study. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact 2008; 8 (04) 391-400
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 20 Bennell KL, Hinman RS, Metcalf BR. et al. Relationship of knee joint proprioception to pain and disability in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. J Orthop Res 2003; 21 (05) 792-797
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 21 Edin B. Cutaneous afferents provide information about knee joint movements in humans. J Physiol 2001; 531 (Pt 1): 289-297
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 22 Thijs Y, Vingerhoets G, Pattyn E, Rombaut L, Witvrouw E. Does bracing influence brain activity during knee movement: an fMRI study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2010; 18 (08) 1145-1149
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 23 Birmingham TB, Inglis JT, Kramer JF, Vandervoort AA. Effect of a neoprene sleeve on knee joint kinesthesis: influence of different testing procedures. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2000; 32 (02) 304-308
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 24 Hanzlíková I, Richards J, Hébert-Losier K, Smékal D. The effect of proprioceptive knee bracing on knee stability after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Gait Posture 2019; 67: 242-247
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 25 Hanzlíková I, Richards J, Tomsa M. et al. The effect of proprioceptive knee bracing on knee stability during three different sport related movement tasks in healthy subjects and the implications to the management of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries. Gait Posture 2016; 48: 165-170
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 26 Moon J, Kim H, Lee J, Panday SB. Effect of wearing a knee brace or sleeve on the knee joint and anterior cruciate ligament force during drop jumps: a clinical intervention study. Knee 2018; 25 (06) 1009-1015
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 27 Chuang SH, Huang MH, Chen TW, Weng MC, Liu CW, Chen CH. Effect of knee sleeve on static and dynamic balance in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2007; 23 (08) 405-411
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 28 Mortaza N, Ebrahimi I, Jamshidi AA. et al. The effects of a prophylactic knee brace and two neoprene knee sleeves on the performance of healthy athletes: a crossover randomized controlled trial. PLoS One 2012; 7 (11) e50110
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 29 Hewett TE, Myer GD, Ford KR. et al. Biomechanical measures of neuromuscular control and valgus loading of the knee predict anterior cruciate ligament injury risk in female athletes: a prospective study. Am J Sports Med 2005; 33 (04) 492-501
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 30 Van Tiggelen D, Coorevits P, Witvrouw E. The use of a neoprene knee sleeve to compensate the deficit in knee joint position sense caused by muscle fatigue. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2008; 18 (01) 62-66
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 31 Sasek C. An update on primary care management of knee osteoarthritis. JAAPA 2015; 28 (01) 37-43
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 32 Mohd Sharif NA, Goh SL, Usman J, Wan Safwani WKZ. Biomechanical and functional efficacy of knee sleeves: a literature review. Phys Ther Sport 2017; 28: 44-52
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 33 MacRae BA, Cotter JD, Laing RM. Compression garments and exercise: garment considerations, physiology and performance. Sports Med 2011; 41 (10) 815-843
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 34 Perlau R, Frank C, Fick G. The effect of elastic bandages on human knee proprioception in the uninjured population. Am J Sports Med 1995; 23 (02) 251-255
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 35 Kwon H-J, Park D-S, Jeong J, Jung K-I. The effect of silicone sleeve and taping on balance and strength in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction patients. J Kor Soc Phy Ther 2014; 26 (03) 147-155
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 36 Pajareya K, Chadchavalpanichaya N, Timdang S. Effectiveness of an elastic knee sleeve for patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized single-blinded controlled trial. J Med Assoc Thai 2003; 86 (06) 535-542
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 37 Patel DR, Villalobos A. Evaluation and management of knee pain in young athletes: overuse injuries of the knee. Transl Pediatr 2017; 6 (03) 190-198
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 38 Ali A, Caine MP, Snow BG. Graduated compression stockings: physiological and perceptual responses during and after exercise. J Sports Sci 2007; 25 (04) 413-419
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 39 Collins A, Blackburn T, Olcott C, Jordan JM, Yu B, Weinhold P. A kinetic and kinematic analysis of the effect of stochastic resonance electrical stimulation and knee sleeve during gait in osteoarthritis of the knee. J Appl Biomech 2014; 30 (01) 104-112
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 40 Schween R, Gehring D, Gollhofer A. Immediate effects of an elastic knee sleeve on frontal plane gait biomechanics in knee osteoarthritis. PLoS One 2015; 10 (01) e0115782
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 41 Cudejko T, van der Esch M, van der Leeden M. et al. Effect of soft braces on pain and physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis: systematic review with meta-analyses. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2018; 99 (01) 153-163
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 42 DeVita P, Hortobagyi T. Functional knee brace alters predicted knee muscle and joint forces in people with ACL reconstruction during walking. J Appl Biomech 2001; 17 (04) 297-311
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 43 Kuster MS, Grob K, Kuster M, Wood GA, Gächter A. The benefits of wearing a compression sleeve after ACL reconstruction. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1999; 31 (03) 368-371
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 44 Nyland J, Brand E, Fisher B. Update on rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction. Open Access J Sports Med 2010; 1: 151-166
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 45 Nakajima MA, Baldridge C. The effect of kinesio tape on vertical jump and dynamic postural control. Int J Sports Phys Ther 2013; 8 (04) 393-406
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 46 Murray HM. Kinesio Taping, Muscle Strength and ROM after ACL Repair. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2000; 30: 1
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 47 González-Iglesias J, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Cleland JA, Huijbregts P, Del Rosario Gutiérrez-Vega M. Short-term effects of cervical kinesio taping on pain and cervical range of motion in patients with acute whiplash injury: a randomized clinical trial. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2009; 39 (07) 515-521
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 48 Kase K. Clinical therapeutic applications of the Kinesio (!R)taping method. Albuquerque 2003 (e-pub ahead of print). Available at: https://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/10030766200
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 49 Thelen MD, Dauber JA, Stoneman PD. The clinical efficacy of kinesio tape for shoulder pain: a randomized, double-blinded, clinical trial. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2008; 38 (07) 389-395
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 50 Tsai CT, Chang WD, Lee JP. Effects of short-term treatment with kinesiotaping for plantar fasciitis. J Musculoskeletal Pain 2010; 18 (01) 71-80
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 51 Aytar A, Ozunlu N, Surenkok O, Baltaci G, Oztop P, Karatas M. Initial effects of kinesio taping in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: a randomized, double-blind study. Isokinet Exerc Sci 2011; 19 (02) 135-142
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 52 Kaya D, Callaghan MJ, Ozkan H. et al. The effect of an exercise program in conjunction with short-period patellar taping on pain, electromyogram activity, and muscle strength in patellofemoral pain syndrome. Sports Health 2010; 2 (05) 410-416
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 53 Kaya E, Zinnuroglu M, Tugcu I. Kinesio taping compared to physical therapy modalities for the treatment of shoulder impingement syndrome. Clin Rheumatol 2011; 30 (02) 201-207
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 54 Chang WD, Chen FC, Lee CL, Lin HY, Lai PT. Effects of kinesio taping versus mcconnell taping for patellofemoral pain syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2015; 2015: 471208
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 55 Akbaş E, Atay AÖ, Yüksel I. The effects of additional kinesio taping over exercise in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc 2011; 45 (05) 335-341
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 56 Campolo M, Babu J, Dmochowska K, Scariah S, Varughese J. A comparison of two taping techniques (kinesio and mcconnell) and their effect on anterior knee pain during functional activities. Int J Sports Phys Ther 2013; 8 (02) 105-110
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 57 Castrogiovanni P, Di Giunta A, Guglielmino C. et al. The effects of exercise and kinesio tape on physical limitations in patients with knee osteoarthritis. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2016; 1 (04) 355-368
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 58 KT Tape vs RockTape Comparison - What's the Difference?. [Internet] Accessed July 3, 2021 at: https://www.scriphessco.com/comparisons/kt-tape-vs-rocktape
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 59 McManus KL, Kimmel LA, Holland AE. Rocktape provides no benefit over sham taping in people with knee osteoarthritis who are completing an exercise program: a randomised trial. Physiotherapy 2021; 113: 29-36
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 60 Cherian JJ, Jauregui JJ, Leichliter AK, Elmallah RK, Bhave A, Mont MA. The effects of various physical non-operative modalities on the pain in osteoarthritis of the knee. Bone Joint J 2016; 98-B (1, Suppl A) 89-94
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 61 QB1 - CyMedica Orthopedics. Accessed July 3, 2021 at: https://www.cymedicaortho.com/products/qb1/
  PubMed