Effect of functional bracing on subsequent knee injury in ACL-deficient professional skiers.
The effect of functional bracing on subsequent knee injury in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient professional skiers was evaluated. A cohort of 180 ACL-deficient skiers was identified from a knee screening of 9410 professional skiers from 1991-1997. An ACL-deficient knee was defined by an abnormal examination (Lachman or pivot-shift) and a > or = 5-mm KT-1000 manual maximum difference. The dependent variable was subsequent knee injury, which occurred in 12 knees. A significantly higher proportion of injuries occurred in nonbraced skiers compared with braced skiers (P = .005). The risk ratio for subsequent knee injury comparing nonbraced with braced skiers was 6.4 (13% and 2%, respectively). Univariate analysis revealed no significant effects of the other covariates. Logistic regression identified bracing status (P < .01; odds ratio = 8) and KT-1000 manual maximum difference (P = .02; odds ratio = 1.3) as significant multivariate risk factors for subsequent knee injury, controlling for covariates.
Steadman Hawkins Sports Medicine Foundation, Vail, Colo, USA.
Mininder S
MS
Kocher
William I
WI
Sterett
Karen K
KK
Briggs
David
D
Zurakowski
J Richard
JR
Steadman
D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001915:Braces; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012865:Skiing / Q000293:injuries*