Functional knee braces to treat ACL injuries are found to be insufficient in restoring normal biomechanics to the ACL-deficient knee. This according to a new study on “Functional Bracing of ACL Injuries: Current State and Future Directions”. The study was recently published in Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy (KSSTA). The same study also indicates that functional knee braces do not help protect a reconstructed ACL, nor improve long-term patient outcomes after ACL injuries. It did, however, suggest that functional braces can reduce subsequent injury rates while skiing in both ACL-deficient and reconstructed skiers.

Vail, Colorado knee surgeon, Dr. Robert F. LaPrade, and a team of orthopaedic research scientists and engineers from the Steadman Philippon Research Institute conducted this study.

ACL knee injuries are common among athletes and active individuals. The ACL is critical to knee stability. When injured, patients often complain of feeling as if their knee will give out from under them. Surgery is sometimes needed to treat ACL injuries, especially for athletes who wish to resume sports play. For patients who do not undergo surgery, functional knee braces are sometimes prescribed as a part of the treatment and rehabilitation protocol.

The results of the existing literature on the usage of functional knee braces are mixed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the history and current state of functional ACL bracing and to identify design criteria that could improve upon current bracing technologies.

To read the full study, see: Functional bracing of ACL injuries: current state and future directions