Noman Shakeel Niazi, Suhail Niaz Khan Niazi, Syed Baqir Hussain Jafree, Khalid Niaz Khan Niazi, Madiha Iqbal.
Role of Un-Loader Bracing in the Management of Medial Compartment Knee Osteoarthritis.
Pak J Med Health Sci Jan ;7(4):982-5.

Aim: To provide the documented efficacy of off-loader knee braces for improving symptomatology associated with painful disabling medial compartment knee OA. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 80 patients with symptomatic medial compartmental knee OA to treatment with valgus knee brace. All patients were assessed at 6 months. 4 patients lost follow up. The primary outcome measure was pain severity as measured on a visual analog scale. Secondary outcome measures were knee function score using WOMAC and correction of varus alignment on AP whole-leg radiographs taken with the patient in the standing position. Results: There were total 80 patients of which 32(40%) were male while 48(60%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 48±8.93. We observed statistically significant differences in mean outcome assessments (pain severity, walking distance) by using un-loader bracing in the management of medial compartment knee osteoarthritis as (P-value<0.05). Conclusion: Off-loader braces are effective in mediating pain relief in conjunction with knee OA

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