PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Background: The effectiveness of knee orthoses as part of conservative treatment for patients with medial knee osteoarthritis has not been fully explored. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a novel semi-rigid knee orthosis on pain, physical activity, and functional capacity. Methods: Pain levels, physical activity, and functional capacity were assessed in 24 participants experiencing symptomatic medial knee osteoarthritis one week before (i.e., pretest) initiating a six-week orthosis intervention and again during the final week of the intervention (i.e., post-test). Results: Night pain, pain during walking, pain during stair climbing, and pain during sitting consistently decreased by 41% to 48% while wearing the knee orthosis. Device-based measured physical activity showed a 20.2-min increase in vigorous physical activity during the post-test, while light and moderate physical activity did not show significant changes. After six weeks of orthosis application, there was a 5% increased distance for the six-minute walk test, and participants reported fewer limitations both in everyday and athletic activities, as well as an enhanced quality of life. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential effectiveness of a semi-rigid knee orthosis to enhancing functional capacity and quality of life. More extensive and longer clinical trials are needed to improve confidence in these findings and understand their impact on disease progression.
摘要：
背景：膝关节矫形器作为内侧膝骨关节炎患者保守治疗的一部分，其有效性尚未得到充分探讨。这项研究的目的是评估一种新型半刚性膝关节矫形器对疼痛的影响，身体活动,和功能能力。方法：疼痛水平，身体活动,和功能能力在一周前经历有症状的内侧膝骨关节炎的24名参与者中进行了评估(即，预测试)开始为期六周的矫形器干预，并在干预的最后一周再次(即，测试后)。结果：夜间疼痛，行走时疼痛,爬楼梯时疼痛，佩戴膝关节矫形器时，坐着时的疼痛持续减少41%至48%。基于设备的测量的身体活动显示，在后期测试期间，剧烈的身体活动增加了20.2分钟，而轻度和中度体力活动没有显着变化。矫形器应用六周后，六分钟步行测试的距离增加了5%，参与者报告说，在日常和体育活动中的限制较少，以及提高生活质量。结论：这些发现强调了半刚性膝关节矫形器在提高功能能力和生活质量方面的潜在有效性。需要更广泛和更长时间的临床试验来提高对这些发现的信心，并了解它们对疾病进展的影响。
