1
Return

Effectiveness of Dynamic Brace in Posterior Tibial Translation in Acute PCL Lesion: A Pilot, Single Center Exploratory Study

delete2026-04-05
delete0
PRE
AI
Z
Zappala, Giorgio
D
Delmedico, Michelangelo
C
Ciclamini, Davide
T
Trapella, Nicholas
P
Pasquali, Carlo
C
Crespi, Camilla
DOI:10.3390/healthcare14070953delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Background: Acute posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries are uncommon and often challenging to treat. While conservative treatment is frequently proposed in the acute phase, conventional rigid bracing may lead to complications such as joint stiffness and quadriceps atrophy. Dynamic braces applying posterior to anterior force during flexion have been proposed as a more functional alternative. Purpose: To evaluate the biomechanical efficacy of a dynamic PCL brace in reducing posterior tibial translation during the acute post-traumatic phase using standardized stress radiographs. Methods: The study was conducted on 11 patients with acute PCL injuries (four isolated, seven multiligamentous) treated within 15 days from trauma. Posterior tibial translation was measured with X-rays at 90 degrees of flexion under four conditions: static (resting), stress (150 N), brace unloaded, and brace loaded (50 N posterior force). Three blinded orthopedic surgeons performed all measurements independently. Results: The dynamic brace significantly reduced posterior tibial translation across all conditions. Translation under stress was reduced from a mean of 7.1 mm to 2.68 mm with the loaded brace (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The study demonstrates that dynamic bracing provides effective biomechanical control of posterior tibial translation in the acute PCL injury. These findings support the potential role of dynamic bracing in conservative treatment protocols.
Keywords:
posterior cruciate ligament
PCL injury
conservative treatment
dynamic brace
knee instability

Journal

Healthcare cover
Healthcare
IF:
2.7
Papers:
2.0K
Citations:
2.5W

Organization

U
University of Eastern Piedmont Amedeo Avogadro
Scholars:
9.1K
Papers: 6.8K
Citations: 4
A
ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII
Scholars:
3.6K
Papers: 2.5K
Citations: 24
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers