Start:
Stabilization Brace: For patients presenting with a neutral static knee alignment but demonstrating a dynamic valgus or varus thrust during ambulation use a stabilization brace.
Unloader Brace: For individuals with static and dynamic varus or valgus malalignment that can be corrected to neutral with manual pressure, prescribe an unloader brace.
Combination Brace: For patients exhibiting a neutral knee at rest, accompanied by subjective instability and a gait pattern characterized by stiffness and persistent knee flexion utilize a combination, Stabilization/Unloader brace with knee extension assistance.
Stop:
Conventional bracing in cases of fixed varus or valgus deformities where neutral alignment cannot be achieved with manual correction.
Pre-surgical bracing interventions for patients in advanced stages of degenerative joint disease who are scheduled for surgical intervention within a short timeframe (e.g., 3 weeks).
Why:
Adopting these evidence-informed bracing strategies ensures tailored biomechanical support, enhances functional stability, and reduces the risk of inappropriate interventions. Proper brace selection aligns with clinical objectives, optimizing patient outcomes and fostering best practices in physical therapy management.
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