title: Strength and Functional Improvement Using Pneumatic Brace with Extension Assist for End-Stage Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective, Randomized trial.
abstract: Pneumatic unloader bracing with extension assists have been proposed as a non-operative modality that may delay the need for knee surgery by reducing pain and improving function. This prospective, randomized trial evaluated 52 patients who had knee osteoarthritis for changes in: (1) muscle strength; (2) objective functional improvements; (3); subjective functional improvements; (4) pain; (5) quality of life; and (6) conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) compared to standard of care. Patient outcomes were evaluated at a minimum 3 months. Braced patient's demonstrated significant improvements in muscle strength, several functional tests, and patient reported outcomes when compared to the matched cohort. These results are encouraging and suggest that this device may represent a promising alternative to standard treatment methods for knee osteoarthritis.
authors.affiliation: Center for Joint Preservation and Replacement, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Jeffrey J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Cherian
authors.affiliation: Center for Joint Preservation and Replacement, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhave
authors.affiliation: Center for Joint Preservation and Replacement, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Bhaveen H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Kapadia
authors.affiliation: Center for Joint Preservation and Replacement, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Starr
authors.affiliation: Center for Joint Preservation and Replacement, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: McElroy
authors.affiliation: Center for Joint Preservation and Replacement, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mont
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D001915:Braces; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: muscle strength; osteoarthritis; pain; total knee arthroplasty; unloader brace