[Knee orthosis. First part : evaluation of physiological properties based on a review of the literature].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this work was to proceed to a literature review to determine the physiological justifications underlying knee orthosis use in medical practice.


METHODS
An analysis of the international literature relating to the years 1980-2000 was carried out with the Medline data bank. We added extra articles focusing on the validity of the protocols used in the different evaluations.


RESULTS
Five hundred and twelve articles were selected and 46 articles of experimental validation were retained. The experimental protocols are divided into in vitro studies and clinical studies carried out in both healthy subject and patients. Only the in vitro experimental data allowed to reach strain values simulating traumatisms of the articular structures. They allowed to define the interest and limits of the orthosis according to articular physiology. Measurements carried out in vivo were effective to characterize the parameters of stability and proprioception and to discriminate between the orthosis. These studies correspond to experimental situations with related constraints that remain far below lesional constraints, focusing on their clinical validity.


CONCLUSIONS
This work point out many studies focusing on the physiological characterization of the knee orthosis. This evaluation of the orthosis through a single methodology remains difficult and justifies confrontation with clinical trials data.
Thoumie
P
P
Service de rééducation neuro-orthopédique, hôpital Rothschild, 75571 cedex 12, Paris, France. philippe.thoumie@rth.ap-hop-paris.fr
Sautreuil
P
P
Mevellec
E
E
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000502:physiology*; D009989:Orthotic Devices
Orthèses de genou. Première partie : Evaluation des propriétés physiologiques à partir d'une revue de la littérature.