Methods for evaluating effects of unloader knee braces on joint health: a review
10.1007/s13534-019-00094-z
- Author:
Rizuwana PARWEEN
1
;
Duraisamy SHRIRAM
;
Rajesh Elara MOHAN
;
Yee Han Dave LEE
;
Karupppasamy SUBBURAJ
Author Information
1. Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Road, Singapore 487372, Singapore. rizuwana_parween@sutd.edu.sg
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Unloader knee brace;
Knee osteoarthritis;
Quantitative imaging;
Finite element modelling;
Post-bracing effects
- MeSH:
Braces;
Cartilage;
Complement System Proteins;
Humans;
Joints;
Knee Joint;
Knee;
Ligaments;
Methods;
Motor Activity;
Osteoarthritis, Knee;
Quality of Life;
Review Literature as Topic
- From:
Biomedical Engineering Letters
2019;9(2):153-168
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The paper aims to provide a state-of-the-art review of methods for evaluating the effectiveness and effect of unloader knee braces on the knee joint and discuss their limitations and future directions. Unloader braces are prescribed as a non-pharmacological conservative treatment option for patients with medial knee osteoarthritis to provide relief in terms of pain reduction, returning to regular physical activities, and enhancing the quality of life. Methods used to evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of these devices on patients' health are categorized into three broad categories (perception-, biochemical-, and morphology-based), depending upon the process and tools used. The main focus of these methods is on the short-term clinical outcome (pain or unloading efficiency). There is a significant technical, research, and clinical literature gap in understanding the short- and long-term consequences of these braces on the tissues in the knee joint, including the cartilage and ligaments. Future research directions may complement existing methods with advanced quantitative imaging (morphological, biochemical, and molecular) and numerical simulation are discussed as they offer potential in assessing long-term and post-bracing effects on the knee joint.
