The effect of prophylactic knee braces on running gait
The use of prophylactic knee braces to prevent knee injuries in football players might increase the risk of injuries to the players because of changes in normal function. This study focused on one of seven criteria for knee braces developed by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, namely that a brace should not interfere with normal running function in the lower extremity. Subjects with no prior history of knee injury were filmed while running on a treadmill. Digital analysis of each subject's running gait with and without the use of knee braces was performed. The knee, ankle and hip joints of both legs were studied to determine if differences existed in the ranges of motion, velocities, and duration of the gait cycle as a result of wearing a knee brace; No differences were found between braced and nonbraced conditions for any parameter measured. Therefore, it was concluded that prophylactic knee bracing does not alter locomotor function of the lower extremities, while running on a treadmill at 5 mph.
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