Author/Authors :
Jum Yamamoto, Gustavo Universidade de São Paulo - Faculdade de Medicina - Hospital das Clínicas - Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, Brazil , Pereira ocamPos, Guilherme Universidade de São Paulo - Faculdade de Medicina - Hospital das Clínicas - Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, Brazil , candidade miranda luzo, maria Universidade de São Paulo - Faculdade de Medicina - Hospital das Clínicas - Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, Brazil , aParecida clemente da silva, cleidnéia Universidade de São Paulo - Faculdade de Medicina - Hospital das Clínicas - Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, Brazil , elize sabino de Farias, Fabiane Universidade de São Paulo - Faculdade de Medicina - Hospital das Clínicas - Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, Brazil , uchoa de rezende, marcia Universidade de São Paulo - Faculdade de Medicina - Hospital das Clínicas - Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, Brazil
Abstract :
Objective: To compare the effect of a brace designed to stabilize the patellofemoral joint to that of a patella-shaped neoprene sleeve with patella cut out in patients with pa-tellofemoral osteoarthritis. Methods: Fifty-seven patients with femoro-patellar osteoarthritis were allocated to two groups: patients with femoro-patellar functional brace and those with a neoprene knee with a patellar orifice. Both groups underwent clinical treatment of osteoarthritis and used medications daily 1 month before and up to 3 months after brace place-ment. They were evaluated with the WOMAC and Lequesne questionnaires and performed five times sit to stand test, Timed Up and Go test, and six minutes walk test immediately before and 1 and 3 months after brace placement. Results: Both groups had improved pain, stiffness, and function with no difference between groups. Drug use decreased in both groups in the first month but increased in the third month. Naproxen use was progressively higher in the control group. Conclusion: Both knee orthoses improved pain and function and altered drug use only in the first month. Functional knee brace provided analgesia without increased use of naproxen.
Level of Evidence IB, Randomized clinical trial
