Effects of unloading bracing on knee and hip joints for patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis

http://www.fgcu.edu/Aquila/files/3-2_Neff_Propaganda_on_the_Big_Screen_-_Film_in_the_Soviet_Union_from_1925_to_1936.pdf

“…However, it is unclear if this has any adverse effects if the hip angle is changed for long periods of time, as that was not shown in the study. The basis of this outcome was shown previously, where hip angle changes were observed in the contralateral hip joint of the braced limb [16].…”

Prospective study on the effects of orthotic treatment for medial knee osteoarthritis in Chinese patients: clinical outcome and gait analysis

“…6 Orthotic treatment can alter loading to the knee in the hope of reducing symptoms and disease progression. Biomechanical studies have demonstrated a small effect size in reduction of KAM with a valgus knee brace [7][8][9][10] and lateral-wedged insoles. [11][12][13][14] This study is the first to sequentially evaluate the clinical outcomes and gait analyses of different orthotic treatments in Chinese patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis.…”

A Biomechanical Perspective on Physical Therapy Management of Knee Osteoarthritis

“…For example, instructions on proper use of a cane on the side contralateral to the arthritic knee joint can be used as an early offloading strategy, by shifting a portion of the body mass off the symptomatic knee tissues during weight-bearing activities such as walking. 107,125 Full-length laterally wedged insoles 45,[76][77][78] or valgus knee bracing 46,120,170,197 may also be effective in modifying the tibiofemoral joint angle and the dynamic loading of the knee joint, thereby decreasing medial compartment compressive loads. Additionally, gait retraining strategies to reduce walking speed, especially in patients with less severe disease, 139 could be an effective offloading approach on a short-term basis.…”