Skip to main content
Journal of Athletic Training logoLink to Journal of Athletic Training
. 1996 Apr-Jun;31(2):131–136.

Effect of Prophylactic Knee Bracing on Balance and Joint Position Sense

Thomas W Kaminski, David H Perrin
PMCID: PMC1318443  PMID: 16558386

Abstract

Prophylactic knee braces are designed to prevent and reduce the severity of ligamentous injuries to the knee. Conflicting evidence is reported concerning their efficacy. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of prophylactic knee bracing on the proprioceptive parameters of balance and joint position sense. Active and passive joint position sense were assessed using the Cybex II + Isokinetic Dynamometer (Cybex Division of Lumex, Inc, Ronkonkoma, NY). Sway index and center of balance were assessed using the Chattecx Dynamic Balance System (Chattanooga Group, Hixson, TN). Thirty-six male subjects were measured with and without prophylactic knee braces. Joint position sense was measured in degrees of error from four preselected target angles. Sway index and center of balance measures were recorded in centimeters under the following platform conditions: stable, plantar flexion/dorsiflexion, and inversion/eversion. Separate repeated measures ANOVAs were performed to determine if there were differences between the braced and unbraced conditions for center of balance, sway index, and joint position sense. Center of balance with the platform moving in a dorsi/plantar flexion direction was improved while wearing the knee braces. In addition, differences in both center of balance and sway were recorded across the three platform conditions with and without knee bracing. Bracing did not affect joint position sense. The results of this study suggest that prophylactic knee braces have very little impact on proprioceptive feedback mechanisms.

Full text

PDF
132

Images in this article

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Albright J. P., Powell J. W., Smith W., Martindale A., Crowley E., Monroe J., Miller R., Connolly J., Hill B. A., Miller D. Medial collateral ligament knee sprains in college football. Effectiveness of preventive braces. Am J Sports Med. 1994 Jan-Feb;22(1):12–18. doi: 10.1177/036354659402200103. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Barrack R. L., Skinner H. B., Cook S. D., Haddad R. J., Jr Effect of articular disease and total knee arthroplasty on knee joint-position sense. J Neurophysiol. 1983 Sep;50(3):684–687. doi: 10.1152/jn.1983.50.3.684. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Barrett D. S., Cobb A. G., Bentley G. Joint proprioception in normal, osteoarthritic and replaced knees. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1991 Jan;73(1):53–56. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.73B1.1991775. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Borsa P. A., Lephart S. M., Fu F. H. Muscular and functional performance characteristics of individuals wearing prophylactic knee braces. J Athl Train. 1993 Winter;28(4):336–344. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Clark F. J., Burgess R. C., Chapin J. W., Lipscomb W. T. Role of intramuscular receptors in the awareness of limb position. J Neurophysiol. 1985 Dec;54(6):1529–1540. doi: 10.1152/jn.1985.54.6.1529. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Deppen R. J., Landfried M. J. Efficacy of prophylactic knee bracing in high school football players. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1994 Nov;20(5):243–246. doi: 10.2519/jospt.1994.20.5.243. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Gandevia S. C., McCloskey D. I. Joint sense, muscle sense, and their combination as position sense, measured at the distal interphalangeal joint of the middle finger. J Physiol. 1976 Sep;260(2):387–407. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1976.sp011521. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Grigg P., Finerman G. A., Riley L. H. Joint-position sense after total hip replacement. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1973 Jul;55(5):1016–1025. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Gross M. T. Effects of recurrent lateral ankle sprains on active and passive judgements of joint position. Phys Ther. 1987 Oct;67(10):1505–1509. doi: 10.1093/ptj/67.10.1505. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Harrison E. L., Duenkel N., Dunlop R., Russell G. Evaluation of single-leg standing following anterior cruciate ligament surgery and rehabilitation. Phys Ther. 1994 Mar;74(3):245–252. doi: 10.1093/ptj/74.3.245. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Hewson G. F., Jr, Mendini R. A., Wang J. B. Prophylactic knee bracing in college football. Am J Sports Med. 1986 Jul-Aug;14(4):262–266. doi: 10.1177/036354658601400403. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Mattacola C. G., Lebsack D. A., Perrin D. H. Intertester reliability of assessing postural sway using the chattecx balance system. J Athl Train. 1995 Sep;30(3):237–242. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Nies N., Sinnott P. L. Variations in balance and body sway in middle-aged adults. Subjects with healthy backs compared with subjects with low-back dysfunction. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 1991 Mar;16(3):325–330. doi: 10.1097/00007632-199103000-00012. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Osternig L. R., Robertson R. N. Effects of prophylactic knee bracing on lower extremity joint position and muscle activation during running. Am J Sports Med. 1993 Sep-Oct;21(5):733–737. doi: 10.1177/036354659302100518. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Perlau R., Frank C., Fick G. The effect of elastic bandages on human knee proprioception in the uninjured population. Am J Sports Med. 1995 Mar-Apr;23(2):251–255. doi: 10.1177/036354659502300221. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Rovere G. D., Haupt H. A., Yates C. S. Prophylactic knee bracing in college football. Am J Sports Med. 1987 Mar-Apr;15(2):111–116. doi: 10.1177/036354658701500203. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Rymer W. Z., D'Almeida A. Joint position sense: the effects of muscle contraction. Brain. 1980 Mar;103(1):1–22. doi: 10.1093/brain/103.1.1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Sforzo G. A., Chen N. M., Gold C. A., Frye P. A. The effect of prophylactic knee bracing on performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1989 Jun;21(3):254–257. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Shumway-Cook A., Horak F. B. Assessing the influence of sensory interaction of balance. Suggestion from the field. Phys Ther. 1986 Oct;66(10):1548–1550. doi: 10.1093/ptj/66.10.1548. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Sitler M., Ryan J., Hopkinson W., Wheeler J., Santomier J., Kolb R., Polley D. The efficacy of a prophylactic knee brace to reduce knee injuries in football. A prospective, randomized study at West Point. Am J Sports Med. 1990 May-Jun;18(3):310–315. doi: 10.1177/036354659001800315. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Athletic Training are provided here courtesy of National Athletic Trainers Association

RESOURCES