Article

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether there was a dose response for valgus unloader brace
wear on knee pain, function, and muscle strength in participants with medial
compartment knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN: In this single-group study, participants
with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis were followed for approximately 6
months. SETTING: Recruitment was conducted in the general community, and testing
was performed at a university laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of
patients (N=32) who were prescribed a valgus unloader brace agreed to
participate, met the inclusion criteria, and completed the baseline data
collection. Twenty-four participants (20 men, 4 women) completed baseline and
follow-up collections. INTERVENTION: Participants wore their valgus unloader
brace as needed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knee extensor, flexor, and plantar flexor
strength was tested at baseline and follow-up. Participants filled out Western
Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Medical
Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaires to assess pain and
function. Self-selected walking velocity and stride length were objective
measures of function. Brace usage (dose) and activity (step count) were recorded
at least 4 days/week for the study duration. RESULTS: Positive relationships
existed between brace wear usage and percent change in step count (r=.59, P=.006)
and percent change in hamstrings strength (r=.37, P=.072). At follow-up, there
was significant improvement in hamstrings strength (P=.013), and trends toward
improvements in WOMAC pain (P=.059) and WOMAC function (P=.089). CONCLUSIONS: Our
results indicate that greater brace use may positively affect physical activity
level, but there was minimal effect of brace wear dosage on lower-limb muscle
strength. Only knee flexion showed a positive relationship. Our finding of no
decreased muscle strength indicates that increased brace use over a 6-month
period does not result in muscle impairment.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS