Objective:

To evaluate the effectiveness of compartment-specific knee bracing combined with adherence interventions in improving patient-reported outcomes in adults with knee osteoarthritis.

Approach:

Key Findings:

• The bracing group showed a greater improvement in the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score at 6 months compared to the control group, with an adjusted mean difference of 3.39 points.
• Pain reduction was significant, with an adjusted mean difference of 6.13 points on the pain subscale at 6 months.
• Improvements were observed at 3 months but diminished by 12 months, with no significant between-group differences.

Interpretation:

Compartment-specific knee bracing, combined with adherence support, can lead to significant short-term improvements in pain and function for patients with knee osteoarthritis, though benefits may wane over time.

Limitations:

• Participants and physiotherapists were not blinded to treatment allocation.
• Outcome data collection was affected by COVID-19 disruptions.
• The intervention group had more physiotherapist contact, which may influence outcomes.
• Brace adherence declined over time, and some control participants used braces, potentially affecting results.
• Limited diversity in the study population may restrict generalizability.

Conclusion:

While knee bracing shows promise for improving outcomes in knee osteoarthritis, the long-term benefits and adherence challenges warrant further investigation.

Sources:

• The BMJ
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