Effects of a Knee Brace on Hip and Ankle Joint Angles and Floor Reaction Force during Walking

Abstract

[Purpose] The effects of a knee brace on hip and ankle angles and floor reaction force during walking were investigated. [Participants and Methods] The hip flexion-extension, adduction-abduction, ankle dorsiflexion-plantar flexion angles, and floor reaction forces of 12 healthy adults were measured during walking. The swing and stance phases of the walking cycle were divided into three phases, respectively, and the effect of the knee brace was evaluated. [Results] In the stance phase, wearing the knee brace increased the hip flexion angle in the early phase, and ankle dorsiflexion angle in the early and late phases. In the swing phase, the hip abduction and ankle dorsiflexion angles were significantly increased by the knee brace. The floor reaction force during stance phase was significantly lower when wearing the knee brace. [Conclusion] When the knee joint is immobilized, compensatory movements occur at the hip and ankle joints in order to complete walking motion, while the amount of weight bearing during the stance phase decreases.