Study of Biomechanical Parameters of Unloading Braces Used in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis (BIOoSE)

Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease affecting millions of people worldwide, and knee is the second most affected site. Knee osteoarthritis is characterized by knee pain, loss of motion, disability, and muscle weakness, all factors contributing to gait alterations, and impacting greatly the patients quality of life. In the absence of curative treatment, pharmacological and non-pharmacological symptomatic treatments are prescribed to maintain this QoL, and therefore delay surgery to more appropriate window of opportunity later in life. The aim of the study was to investigate the acute effects of three braces, using different unloading strategies, on gait kinematic and kinetic parameters, as well as pain in patients with medial knee ostoeoarthritis.