Laboratory evaluation of prophylactic knee brace performance under dynamic valgus loading using a surrogate leg model.

Because of contradictory data accumulating from on-field trials of prophylactic knee braces, benchtop laboratory studies of brace performance have become important. This study (1) describes design considerations for a mechanical leg surrogate developed for prophylactic brace testing, (2) validates surrogate performance under dynamic lateral loading, and (3) reports comparative performance data for eight commercial knee braces tested using this surrogate system.