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Use of a patellar brace for patellofemoral joint OA may lower contact stress
Patients with patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis who used a patellar brace had a significant increase in the patellofemoral joint lateral contact area and a decrease in patellofemoral joint lateral distance, which may lower contact stress at the patellofemoral joint, according to results.
Researchers obtained weight-bearing MRIs for 30 patients with symptomatic and radiographic Kellgren-Lawrence evidence of patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis (OA). Images were taken with and without patients using a Bioskin Patellar Tracking Q Brace (Ossur UK). Researchers measured mediolateral alignment by the bisect offset index, angulation by patellar tilt, patellar height by patellar height ratio, lateral patellofemoral contact area and measurement of patellofemoral bony separation of the lateral patellar facet and the adjacent surface on the femoral trochlea.
Results showed no significant differences between brace and no brace conditions for bisect offset index, patellar tilt and patellar height ratio. However, researchers noted the lateral facet contact area significantly increased while the lateral patellofemoral distance decreased with use of the brace. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.