Bracing for the Patellofemoral Joint.

Abstract

Patellofemoral disorders are common causes of knee pain that result in frequent visitations to musculoskeletal care clinics. Patellar tendinopathy, patellar instability and patellar maltracking, and pain are some of the most common pathologies resulting in patellofemoral dysfunction. For each of these diagnoses, there are unique orthoses and braces available, some of which are uniquely designed to address the pathology involved. While the spectrum of patellofemoral disorders is wide ranging and can often be challenging to treat, bracing frequently plays a large role in the overall treatment algorithm. In this article, we summarized the current literature and treatment recommendations related to the most common types of patellar braces. We performed a thorough review of randomized controlled trials and up to date literature to reach well-informed conclusions on current best practice regarding the uses of patellar braces for patellofemoral disorders.