ABSTRACT
Functional knee braces are designed to stabilize anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient knees by reducing pathological translations and rotations. Yet little research has examined the effects of these braces on three-dimensional osteokinematics and arthrokinetics during high dynamic activity. Braces are effective in reducing anterior translations when subjected to static or low anterior shear forces, but fail in situations where high loads are encountered or when the load is applied in an unpredictable manner (Cawley et al., 1991). Recent investigations have employed target markers affixed to intra-cortical pins implanted into the tibia and femur to describe skeletal tibiofemoral joint motion (Lafortune et aI., 1992; McClay, 1990; Reinschmidt et al., 1997; Reinschmidt et al., 1997). However, activities were restricted to walking or light running. Since braces are designed for athletic activity, they should be evaluated under such conditions. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether application of a functional brace reduced rotational and linear tibial displacements during the performance of a One Legged Jump (OLJ).
