Effect of Knee Sleeve on Static and Dynamic Balance in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) find that use of elastic knee sleeves gives them partial pain relief and a greater sense of joint stability. However, the scientific effects of knee OA patients wearing braces are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of knee sleeves on static and dynamic balance in knee OA patients. Fifty patients with knee OA were enrolled in the study and all subjects were randomly divided into two groups. Initially, subjects in group A did not wear a neoprene sleeve while receiving balance tests but then wore them to be re-tested. Subjects in group B did just the reverse procedure. In this investigation, an instrument (KAT 2000; Breg Inc., Vista, CA, USA), which quantified motor control performance of the lower extremities was used and balance scores from the KAT 2000 software were obtained. The results revealed that the scores of patients wearing braces were significantly lower than those of patients without braces (p < 0.05).The finding of this study demonstrated that knee OA patients wearing knee sleeves could experience increased balance ability in both static and dynamic conditions. The improvement might prevent knee OA patients from falling down and increase their sense of security during physical activities.

Effects of laterally wedged insoles on static balance in patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis

“…These contribute to pain, changes in muscle control and may interfere with balance and postural control [1,2]. …”

Efeito Do Aquecimento Sobre a Flexibilidade E O Desempenho Funcional: Ensaio Clínico Randomizado

“…Após cinco minutos, eram realizadas três repetições de cada teste. O intervalo de repouso era de um minuto entre as tentativas, considerando-se o valor médio 14,15 .…”

Non-surgical treatment of osteoarthritis-related pain in the elderly

“…Varus malalignment of the knee has been implicated as a contributing factor to knee OA progression [22], and valgus unloading knee braces may reduce medial knee loading in varus deformity, and improve pain and function [23]. Stability and balance are of particular importance in elderly patients at greater risk for falls, and unloading braces can stabilize the joint and improve balance [24]. However, a systematic review of available studies in 2006, consisting of only two small observational studies, suggested that these braces have limited efficacy in knee OA [25,26].…”