The use of a pneumatic leg brace in soldiers with tibial stress fractures--a randomized clinical trial.

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN:

Single blind randomized controlled replication study.

OBJECTIVES:

Evaluate the effect of a pneumatic leg brace on return-to-activity and pain in soldiers with tibial stress fractures.

METHODS AND MEASURES:

Thirty-one subjects diagnosed with tibial stress fractures were randomly assigned to either a brace or control group. Dependent variables included time to pain-free single-leg hopping, visual analog pain scale, and time to a pain-free 1-mile run. Twenty subjects (10 brace, 10 control) completed a detailed functional progression culminating in a 1-mile run.

RESULTS:

There was no difference between groups for time to pain-free hop (p > 0.86; power = 0.43) and time to pain-free 1-mile run (p > 0.24; power = 0.92). Subjects in both groups experienced statistically significant improvements in pain measurements (p < 0.002), but no difference was found between groups (p > 0.93).

CONCLUSION:

The current study demonstrated no added benefit of Aircast leg braces in the treatment of tibial stress fractures in the military training environment.

• Authors: Christopher S Allen, Timothy W Flynn, Joseph R Kardouni, Mae H Hemphill, Carrie A Schneider, Allyson E Pritchard, David H Duplessis, Greer Evans-Christopher
• Journal: Military medicine (Mil Med) Vol. 169 Issue 11 Pg. 880-4 (Nov 2004) ISSN: 0026-4075 [Print] England
• PMID: 15605935 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Topics

• Adult
• Braces
• Female
• Fractures, Stress (physiopathology, rehabilitation)
• Humans
• Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices
• Male
• Military Personnel
• Pain Measurement
• Tibia (injuries)