Compare the clinical outcomes of different knee braces in the early phase of rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in athletes.

We conducted a retrospective database study of athletes during early rehabilitation in a tertiary referral hospital between 1 February 2008 and 30 October 2010 after ACLR using bone patellar tendon bone (BPTB) or hamstring autograft. Differences in mid-patellar knee circumference, pain, and range of motion were assessed at admission. All patients followed the same rehabilitation protocol. Patients who had complications preventing them from following the assigned rehabilitation program were analyzed separately. Patients who completed their rehabilitation program were also assessed for thigh muscle atrophy, extension deficit≥2°, quality of walking, PPLP1 and subjective IKDC scores. The type and frequency of complications and their frequency was documented. The above-mentioned parameters were analyzed in 3 different groups: rigid brace in full extension, articulated brace (0°–90° for first 3 weeks then 0–120°) or no brace.

The analysis included 969 patients. Rehabilitation started at 4.5±2.9 days after surgery and ended at 32.4±3.0 days postoperative. At the beginning, flexion was lower in patients with a rigid brace (P<0.01). There was no difference in the frequency or severity of complications between the three study groups, nor was there a significant difference in the clinical outcomes listed above.

Postoperative bracing after ACLR has not beneficial effect on clinical outcomes and the complication rate. Patients who wore the rigid brace had limited flexion early on.