The Lenox Hill brace. An evaluation of effectiveness in treating knee instability.

Forty-five patients with documented ACL injuries were examined objectively and subjectively to evaluate the effectiveness of the Lenox Hill brace in treating knee instability. The brace failed to significantly reduce maximal anterior subluxation of the tibia, but did increase resistance to displacement. Rotatory instability was improved an average of one grade by the brace, while varus/valgus laxity was unchanged. Subjectively, patients experienced a significant reduction in episodes of giving way, and athletic performance was improved by the brace in 69% of patients. Increased symptoms of instability correlated positively with greater measured laxity and low resistance to tibial displacement. The brace, while not effective in controlling absolute laxity, significantly reduced symptoms of instability in the nonelite athlete, possibly through increasing relative resistance to subluxation. Overall, 91% of the patients examined were satisfied with the brace and felt it was beneficial for them.