Are braces beneficial to injured limbs? Can they prevent further injury to the limb?
No pure scientific evidence exists that they reduce further injury. All studies that have shown braces to be effective have been financed by brace manufacturers. In the l980s when coaches used prophylactic knee braces for high school football players, we had an epidemic of femur fractures occurring above the brace. Knee ligament injuries are preferable to femur fractures. However, a knee brace can offer some moderate relief in mild knee arthritis.
