Table 5. Studies evaluating braces.
| Study | Demographics | Δ Pain score | Δ Knee function | Δ Knee stiffness | Δ Mobility | TKA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brouwer et al. (36), multi-centered RCT | N=117 (60 brace, 57 control), F (%): 50, mean age (y): 59, BMI (kg/m2): 29, duration of OA (m): 70, follow-up (w): 36 | VAS pain (difference between groups): −1 | HSS function (difference between groups): 3 | Walking distance in km (difference between groups): 1* | ||
| Yu et al. (37), RCT | N=154 (86 brace TF, 68 control), F (%): 72, mean age (y): 67, BMI (kg/m2): 32, duration of OA (m): 70, follow-up (w): 52 | VAS pain—brace TF: −1*, control: −2*. KOOS pain—brace TF: 8*, control: 13* | KOOS ADL—brace TF: 7*, control: 12* | 6 minute walk test (meters)—brace TF: 50*, control: 52*. Timed up and go test (seconds)—brace TF: −3*, control: −2* | ||
| Yu et al. (37), RCT | N=118 (50 brace PF, 68 control), F: 78%, mean age (y): 67, BMI (kg/m2): 32, duration of OA (m): 70, follow-up (w): 52 | VAS pain—brace PF: −1*, control: −2*. KOOS pain—brace PF: 10*, control: 13* | KOOS ADL—brace PF: 8*, control: 12* | 6 minute walk test (meters)—brace PF: 48*, control: 52*. Timed up and go test (seconds)—brace PF: −2*, control: −2* | ||
| Kirkley et al. (38), RCT | N=74 (41 unloader brace, 33 control), F (%): 27, mean age (y): 59, follow-up (w): 26, degrees of varus: 9 | WOMAC pain—brace: 43, control: −13 | WOMAC function—brace: 157*, control: −7 | WOMAC stiffness—brace: +29, control: −8 | 6 minute walk test (meters)—brace: 30*, control: 26. 30 second stair−climbing test (# stairs)—brace: +11*, control: −5 | |
| Kirkley et al. (38), RCT | N=69 (36 neoprene brace, 33 control), F (%): 26, mean age (y): 59, follow-up (w): 26, degrees of varus: 9 | WOMAC pain—brace: 13, control: −13 | WOMAC function—brace: 69*, control: −7 | WOMAC stiffness—brace: 16, control: −8 | 6 minute walk test (meters)—brace: 9*, control: 26. 30 second stair−climbing test (# stairs)—brace: 6*, control: −5 | |
| Larsen et al. (39), RCT | N=23 (36 unloader brace, 33 control), F (%): 33, mean age (y): 64 years, follow-up (w): 8, weight (kg): 88 | KSS pain—brace (moderate OA: 10, low-grade OA: 5) | LEAS—brace (low-grade OA: 1*, moderate OA: 0) | Knee flexion—brace: −3º*, control: 0º | ||
| Chughtai et al. (40), RCT | N=36 (11 unloader brace, 25 control), mean age (y): 60, follow-up (w): 52 | Patients who underwent TKA—brace: 18%*, control: 36%. Time to TKA (days)—brace: 482, control: 389 | ||||
| Duivenvoorden et al. (41), meta-analysis | N=1,356 (unloader brace vs. control), follow-up (w): 52 | VAS pain (difference between groups): 0 | HSS function (difference between groups): 1 | |||
| Duivenvoorden et al. (41), meta-analysis | N=1,356 (unloader brace vs. lateral wedge insole), follow-up (w): 52 | VAS pain (difference between groups): 0 | WOMAC function (difference between groups): 0 | |||
| Sattari et al. (42), RCT | N=40 (20 unloader brace, 20 control), F (%): 27, mean age (y): 59, follow-up (w): 36 | VAS pain—brace: −4*, control: −1 | Walking distance (km)—brace: 1*, control: 0 | |||
| Sattari et al. (42), RCT | N=40 (20 unloader brace, 20 lateral wedge insoles), F (%): 27, mean age (y): 59, follow-up (w): 36 | VAS pain—brace: −4*, Insole: −4* | Walking distance (km)—brace: 1*, insole: 0 |
*, P<0.05. HSS, hospital for special surgery knee function scale; TF, tibiofemoral osteoarthritis; PF, patellofemoral osteoarthritis; KOOS, knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score; ADL, activities of daily living; RCT, randomized control trial; LEAS, lower extremity activity scores; KSS, knee society scores for pain; OA, osteoarthritis; WOMAC, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index.