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Functional brace

A functional knee brace is prescribed for moderate instability from torn cruciate ligaments, to support the knee and prevent further damage.

Knee instability may be the result of damage to one or a combination of stabilising structures in the knee:

• anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
• posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
• collateral ligament (MCL, LCL)
• meniscal
• capsule
• ilio-tibial band
• semi-membranosus and popliteus tendons

It is generally agreed that functional knee braces are of value post-operatively, and offer improved stability in the simpler types of instability (eg PCL or MCL deficiency), but are unlikely to be of real benefit in complex instabilities.

There are basically two types of functional knee brace:

• hinge-post-shell - with a moulded shell of plastic and foam
• hinge-post-strap - with simple straps