Prophylactic lateral knee braces.

Since the first reported use of knee braces for prophylactic purposes in 1979, these braces have gone through a period of widespread popularity and use, followed by increasing skepticism as to their effectiveness. Early use was unsupported by significant clinical or laboratory data. Multiple studies regarding prophylactic knee braces have since been presented in the orthopedic and sports medicine literature, often with conflicting findings and conclusions. A review is presented with the purpose of educating the reader to the historical use and investigation of these braces, along with recommendations for their future.