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The Effect of a Pneumatic Leg Brace on Return to Play in Athletes with Tibial Stress Fractures

Department of Orthopaedics, Department of Family Practice, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York

Kenneth E. DeHaven, MD

Department of Orthopaedics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York

Wayne J. Sebastianelli, MD

Department of Orthopaedics, Penn State University, University Park

Gregory Hanks, MD

Orthopaedic Institute of Pennsylvania, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

Alexander Kalenak, MD

Orthopaedic Institute of Pennsylvania, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

James M. Lynch, MD

Department of Orthopaedics, Penn State University, University Park

A total of 18 competitive and recreational athletes were enrolled in a randomized, prospective study looking at the effect of pneumatic leg braces on the time to return to full activity after a tibial stress fracture. All patients had positive bone scans and 15 had positive radio graphic findings by Week 12. There were two treat ment groups. The traditional treatment group was treated with rest and, after 3 pain-free days, a gradual return to activity. The pneumatic leg brace (Aircast) group had the brace applied to the affected leg and then followed the same return to activity guidelines. The guidelines consisted of a detailed functional pro gression that allowed pain-free return to play. The brace group was able to resume light activity in 7 days (median) and the traditional group began light activity in 21 days (median). The brace group returned to full, unrestricted activity in 21 ± 2 days, and the traditional group required 77 ± 7 days to resume full activity. The Aircast pneumatic brace is effective in allowing ath letes with tibial stress fractures to return to full, unre stricted, pain-free activity significantly sooner than tra ditional treatment.

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