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Prophylactic knee bracing

Center for Sports Medicine, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, San Francisco, California

Ralph K. Requa, MSPH

Center for Sports Medicine, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, San Francisco, California

Six studies to determine the effectiveness of prophy lactic knee braces in preventing medial collateral liga ment (MCL) injury in football are compared. Criteria useful in evaluating studies are discussed, such as the probability of confounding factors, bias in selecting cases and controls, and variations in defining injury and exposure. Cost, as well as some ethical issues asso ciated with mandated use are discussed. While four of these studies found a reduction in MCL injuries asso ciated with using a brace, two of them reported in creases. No consensus arises from these studies, con flicting results as well as methodological problems in some make it impossible to state with assurance the role of prophylactic knee bracing in football at this time.

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