Evaluation of the mechanical efficiency of knee braces: A combined experimental-numerical approach
Résumé
Knee orthoses are commonly prescribed by physicians and medical practitioners for preventive or therapeutic purposes. In spite of clinical benefits, the mechanical actions of these devices remain poorly understood and characterised [Thoumie, 2001]. Although some experimental studies focused on the motion restriction of specific braces on surrogate knee joints [Lunsford, 1990], this procedure has never been standardised. An original approach based on a combined FE model and instrumented surrogate limb is presented and used to provide a more objective mechanical assessment of these orthotic devices.