05-19-2022, 05:13 PM
(05-19-2022, 04:16 PM)jabor Wrote: Uh... no. Links to random medical websites =/= credible, objective, unbiased, clinical studies.
Your "proclamation" on validity gives me COVID "follow the (selected) science" mantra hives.
There's obviously no "settled science" or some "medical professional consensus" argument based on links selected from Oncemoreuntothejimbreech's quick google search (or what you call a "deep dive"). But credit to him for trying to bring data to a discussion.
If you actually look at the links shown in that post— and read the sources they reference (if they bother listing any)— you will see mixed conclusions on braces (benefits and negatives), comments that their results need more study, references to decades-old studies based on knee braces used in those times, or comments that quality data are limited.
More recent studies show:
— Varus-valgus knee stresses seemed to be reduced by braces. ACL protection is inconclusive. Knee pads or padding that helps absorb impact energy may be a beneficial option. (Do Prophylactic Knee Braces Protect the Knee Against Impacts or Tibial Moments? An In Vitro Multisensory Study - 2018: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2325967118805399)
— Looked at 184 independent source records and found only 3 quality studies that they could consider in their systematic review related to ACL injury. Having such limited quality data reinforces the message that there is clinical uncertainty regarding prescribing functional knee braces when returning to sport. (Can a Knee Brace Prevent ACL Reinjury: A Systematic Review - 2021: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/14/7611/htm)
Just to be clear:
— I'm not promoting that a brace should replace proper rehab or ongoing strength/conditioning.
— Knee brace effectiveness is inconclusive based on limited quality clinical data. It may very well help protect against some movement injuries (eg, varus-valgus knee stresses). Protection against ACL is inconclusive or not likely.
— Maybe knee padding is a better answer than a brace (or nothing)
— Doctors clearly have different viewpoints, which is why you are ALWAYS told to get a second opinion. Even they realize that their expert opinion is not an absolute in most cases.
You have already been informed multiple times bracing can reduce MCL tears (valgus stress).
Isolated LCL tears (varus stress) are pretty rare. When LCL tears do occur they usually accompany other injuries. I have been told you’re more likely to break the fibula than tear the LCL due to varus stress. I would be interested in reading articles indicating bracing prevents these injuries.
As you just stated, bracing to prevent ACL injuries isn’t likely or inconclusive. Which means it isn’t supported by any data. So they are typically used during the rehab period while the knee is healing. Once healing and rehab is complete the athlete is typically weaned off the brace.
Out of the articles you cited which ones recommended functional bracing to prevent ACL re-injury after reconstruction?
