Effect of a patellar realignment brace on patients with patellar subluxation and dislocation - Evaluation with kinematic magnetic resonance imaging

The object of this study was to evaluate the effect of a patellar realignme nt brace on patients with patellar subluxation or dislocation. Twenty-one p atients (24 patellofemoral joints) with clinical evidence of patellar sublu xation (N = 16) or dislocation (N = 5) were examined with the joint inside a positioning device to allow active-motion, kinematic magnetic resonance i maging. To analyze the patellar tracking pattern, the same imaging paramete rs (patellar tilt angle, bisect offset, and lateral patellar displacement) and section locations were used before and after application of a patellar realignment brace. No statistically significant differences were found in a ny of the three parameters for the patellofemoral relationships before or a fter wearing the patellar brace. The results indicated no stabilizing effec t of the tested brace in patients with patellar subluxation or dislocation during active joint motion.