title: Therapeutic effects of tibial support braces on posterior stability after posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with autogenous hamstring tendon graft.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the patients who have to be in supine position for most of the time after posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction, the tibia tends to shift backwards due to the gravity of the lower leg and the tensed hamstring muscle.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To observe the effects of tibial support braces on rehabilitation after PCL reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inpatients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-nine patients were divided into regular brace (N.=18) and tibial support brace (N.=21) groups according to using different types of braces after PCL reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  The follow-up time was more than 2 years in all patients. The function of the affected knee joint was evaluated with International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm knee score, Tegner activity rating, range of motion (ROM) and kneelax arthrometer before and after PCL reconstruction, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The function of the affected knee joint was significantly improved in both groups after PCL reconstruction. Compared with regular brace group, postoperative Lysholm and IKDC scores were significantly increased in tibial support brace group (P<0.05). However, there were no statistical differences in Tegner activity rating and ROM between regular brace group and tibial support brace group (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tibial support brace can obtain better therapeutic effects for PCL reconstruction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that compared with regular brace, tibial support brace can significantly improve the mechanical stability and functional outcomes of the affected knee after PCL reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University,Shenyang, China - lib@sj-hospital.org.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: J-S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: G -B
authors.initials: G-
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: L -H
authors.initials: L-
authors.lastname: Bai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001915:Braces; D002681:China; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016119:Posterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation*; D013977:Tibia / Q000503:physiopathology; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D055815:Young Adult