Understanding how knee braces can prevent ligament injuries
Official title: Quantifying the Mechanical Effects of Knee Bracing and Predicting their Ability to Prevent Ligamentous Injury
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11162676 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how knee braces can help protect important ligaments in your knee, like the ACL and MCL, by testing them on cadaver knees to see how they affect stability and movement, which could help athletes and others at risk of knee injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $73,828 |
| NIH project number | 1F32AR084845-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11162676 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are athletes or individuals engaged in sports that have a high risk of knee ligament injuries, such as football, soccer, and wrestling.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have already sustained severe knee injuries or those who do not participate in high-risk sports may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanical effects of knee braces on preventing injuries to the ligaments in the knee, particularly focusing on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL). Using cadaveric specimens and advanced robotic testing systems, the study aims to quantify how knee braces alter knee stability and loading during movement. The findings could provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of knee braces in reducing injury rates among athletes and individuals at risk of ligament injuries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved recommendations for knee brace use, potentially reducing the incidence of ligament injuries in athletes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown mixed results regarding the effectiveness of knee braces, making this investigation both relevant and necessary to clarify their role in injury prevention.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mattar, Luke Thomas — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Mattar, Luke Thomas
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.