Rehabilitative Knee Brace for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Patient

Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are prevalent among athletes and commonly require surgical reconstruction followed by extensive rehabilitation. Knee braces serve as a critical support system in enhancing stability, reducing strain, and facilitating functional recovery post-surgery. However, traditional braces often suffer from discomfort and suboptimal stress distribution. This study presents a novel three- dimensional (3D) knee brace design aimed at improving mechanical performance and patient comfort. The design incorporated variations in hole geometry and lower brace height. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was employed to evaluate the von Mises stress and displacement under bending and compression loads. Results indicated that a circular hole design combined with a 12 cm lower brace height minimized stress concentrations and optimized load support. These findings demonstrate the potential of design modifications in enhancing the effectiveness of rehabilitative knee braces for ACL injury recovery.