Study provides insight into best bracing method for traumatic patellar dislocation

Finland: Following a first-time traumatic patellar dislocation, the use of a patella-stabilizing, motion-restricting knee brace for 4 weeks did not significantly reduced redislocations compared to a neoprene nonhinged knee brace, a recent study stated. The study appears in The American Journal of Sports Medicine.

The randomized controlled trial although was underpowered for detectinintog more modest differences. Further, the study found that knee immobilization was associated with less knee ROM, quadriceps muscle atrophy, and worse functional outcomes in the first 6 months following the injury. 

In adoleecsts and young adults, a traumatic lateral patellar dislocation is a common injury. The treatment of majority of first–time dislocations can be done nonoperatively. Sevreal types of knee braces are used for nonoperative treatment, but there is a lack of the most preferred bracing method. To fill this knowledge gap, Essi E. Honkonen, Unit of Musculoskeletal Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland, and colleagues aimed to investigate the efficacy of a patella–stabilizing, motion-restricting knee brace compared to a neoprene nonhinged knee brace for the treatment of a first–time traumatic patellar dislocation at 3 years of follow–up. 

The study enrolled a total of 101 skeletally mature patients with a first–time traumatic patellar dislocation. After exclusion, 79 patients with a first–time traumatic patellar dislocation were randomized and allocated into 2 study groups: group A, with a patella–stabilizing, motion-restricting knee brace (hinged to allow knee range of motion [ROM] of 0°-30°) and group B, with a neoprene nonhinged knee brace (not restricting any knee motion).

Similar physical therapy instructions were given to both the groups and were advised to use the brace continuously for 4 weeks. Overall, 64 patients completed the trial.