Knee Orthotics

1. Knee orthoses for sports-related disorders
ATLAS Pg 379- 387
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons classified knee braces into three
categories:
1. Prophylactic braces, intended to prevent injury in a healthy individual
2. Functional braces, designed to provide stability to the unstable knee.
3. Rehabilitative braces, designed to allow protected range of motion during the
rehabilitation or early postoperative period.
Brace design
Off the shelf
Custom
Geometry and mechanism of attachment
Fabrication materials
Hinge design
Brace design limitations
Main headings
POP 2 Knee orthoses lecture 1

2. Pre manufactured Orthoses for the Knee O&P in rehab pages 312
POP 2 Knee orthoses lecture 1
Prophylactic Rehabilitative Functional
The objective of wearing a
prophylactic knee orthosis (PKO) is
to provide protection to the soft
tissue restraints of the knee. Most
commonly, these braces have been
worn by athletes who are exposed
to lateral impacts.
Orthoses used in the postoperative
and early rehabilitation of patients
who have had surgical repair of
damaged cartilage, ligaments, or
bone are designed to control knee
motion carefully to minimize
excessive loading on healing tissues.
Most are based on a lightweight rigid
suprastructure made from carbon
composite or titanium alloy. Many
use adjustable elasticized or Velcro
strapping to apply a four-point
stabilizing force and hold the orthosis
in position on the limb. Some have
polycentric knee units; others allow
variable flexion control or assisted
extension.
Mostly worn by professional
sportspersons to prevent knee
injuries.
Commonly know as a ROM brace.
Can be set in locked extension, and
various degrees of flexion and
extension restriction.
Functional knee brace can be
categorised as.
1. Ligamentous
2. Varus/valgus unloading.

3. Knee Orthotics
• KO (knee orthosis)
• Please refer to O&P in Rehab as well as the AAOS for references-chapters9 and
11 as well as Chapters26 &29
• 4 types –Prophylactic, patellofemoral, functional and rehabilitative.
• Useful for malalignment
- genu varum,
- valgum,
- recurvatum,
to protect knee structures from undue loading/stress
may be preventative or corrective
may be permanent treatment for repaired/compromised knee structures
3

4. • Several Types of KO’s:
Athletic KO-
Non-articulated KO-
Custom or OTS KO-
• Athletic KO- Preventative.
Controversial as short lever arms may not be sufficient to diminish
realistic damaging forces.
Proprioception thought to play a role
4
Knee Orthotics

5. • non-articulated KO-
usually for short term use
difficult to transfer with
5
Knee Orthotics

6. • Off-the-Shelf KO-
Offers limited control of the knee.
Restricts gross motion
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Knee Orthotics