The Impact of Knee Braces on Plantar Pressure Distribution in Elderly Individuals: Implications for Fall Risk Prevention

TL;DR

This study examines how knee braces affect foot pressure in elderly people, finding subtle changes that could influence fall risk.

Contribution

The study reveals brace-specific and lateralized effects on plantar pressure distribution in older adults.

Findings

Brace A increased left foot plantar contact area compared to no brace.

Brace B reduced left foot plantar contact area compared to no brace.

No significant changes were observed in pressure magnitude or right foot variables.

Abstract

(1) Background: Falls are a major public health concern in older adults, largely due to age-related declines in proprioception and postural control. Although knee braces are commonly prescribed to enhance joint stability and sensory feedback, their effects on plantar pressure distribution remain unclear; (2) Methods: Thirteen community-dwelling older adults (mean age: 79.6 ± 3.2 years) participated in a repeated-measures study under three conditions: no brace, knee brace A, and knee brace B. Plantar pressure variables were assessed barefoot during quiet standing using a baropodometric platform. Conditions were compared using non-parametric Friedman tests; (3) Results: Significant differences were observed for left foot total surface area (p = 0.041) and left rearfoot surface area (p = 0.020). Compared with no brace, brace A increased plantar contact area, whereas brace B reduced it. No significant differences were found for pressure magnitude, load distribution, or right foot variables; (4) Conclusions: Knee braces induce subtle, brace-specific and lateralized changes in plantar pressure distribution, potentially reflecting altered postural control strategies. Although limited to specific variables, these effects may be clinically relevant for fall risk assessment and individualized knee brace prescription in older adults.