PEDIATRICS Vol. 85 No. 2 February 1990, pp. 228
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation

Knee Brace Use by Athletes

Committee on Sports Medicine

The knee is the most frequently injured joint during athletic events, and the medial collateral ligament is one of the most frequently injured ligamentous structures of the knee. The medial collateral ligament is a prime stabilizer of the medial side of the knee. The most frequent cause of injury to this ligament is a blow from the lateral side of the knee or thigh with or without a rotatory force, which causes a valgus stress. In the growing child, similar forces to the lateral side of the knee may result in a femonal fracture due to displacement of the distal epiphysis.

It has become a goal of sports medicine enthusiasts to decrease the number of knee injuries and, specifically, the medial knee injury. The most readily apparent method to protect the knee is to provide additional external support. The lateral unidirectional articulated knee brace, strapped to the thigh and the calf, was developed in an attempt to reduce knee injuries. These lateral knee-stabilizing braces, the so-called "prophylactic knee braces," have become widely used by football players at all levels of skill. A number of early reports provided mixed conclusions as to the value of these braces.1 Two recent comprehensive studies both concluded that so-called preventive braces are not preventive and may, in fact, be harmful.2,3

Based on current evidence, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that lateral unidirectional knee braces not be considered standard equipment for football players because of lack of efficacy and the potential of actually causing harm.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 PediatricsHome page
T. J. Martin and Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness
Technical Report: Knee Brace Use in the Young Athlete
Pediatrics, August 1, 2001; 108(2): 503 - 507.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]