RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar o efeito a longo prazo de uma órtese destinada a estabilizar a articulação fêmoro-patelar em comparação com uma de neoprene com orifício para patela em pacientes com osteoartrite fêmoro-patelar (OAFP). Métodos: Trinta e oito pacientes com OAFP e comorbidades receberam ou uma órtese funcional fêmoro-patelar (grupo estudo, GE) ou uma joelheira de neoprene com orifício para patela (grupo controle, GC). Os grupos receberam tratamento clínico da osteoartrite e comorbidades conforme programa da instituição. Foram avaliados com os questionários de WOMAC e Lequesne, testes de senta e levanta em 30 segundos (TSL30) e Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG), medidas antropométricas e minutos de atividade física semanal à inclusão, com um, três e doze meses depois da colocação da órtese. Radiografias foram realizadas para mensurar ângulos fêmoro-tibiais. Resultados: Houve mais abandono no GC, sem diferenças de peso, índice de massa corpórea e atividade física entre os grupos durante o estudo. GE manteve melhoras de Lequesne e WOMAC total e subdomínios durante todo o estudo, enquanto o GC piorou progressivamente após o primeiro mês (p < 0,01). TUG e TSL30 tiveram melhoras não clinicamente relevantes para ambos os grupos. Conclusão: O uso a longo prazo da órtese funcional adicionado ao tratamento clínico melhora a dor e a função dos pacientes com OAFP. Nível de Evidência II, Evidence II,ECRC de menor qualidade (por exemplo, < 80% de acompanhamento, sem mascaramento do código de randomização ou randomização inadequada).

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the long-term effects of a brace designed to stabilize the patellofemoral (PF) joint in comparison to a standard neoprene sleeve for the knee with patellar hole in patients with patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA). Methods: 38 patients with PFOA and comorbidities received either a functional PF brace (Study Group, SG) or a neoprene sleeve for the knee (Control Group, CG). Both groups received clinical treatment to OA and comorbidities according to a program from the institution. Patients were evaluated with Western Ontario and MacMaster (WOMAC) and Lequesne questionnaires, 30-second chair stand test (30CST), Timed Up and Go (TUG), anthropometric measures and self-reported physical activity in minutes/week at inclusion, one, three and twelve months after placing the brace. X-Rays were taken to measure the angles. Results: At one year there was more abandonment in the CG without differences in weight and body mass index between groups during the study. The SG maintained improvements in Lequesne and WOMAC total and subsets during the year, whereas the CG returned to baseline values for pain, function and total (p < 0.01). TUG and 30CST results were always better in the study group without any clinically important improvement in both groups. Conclusion: Long-term use of functional brace added to self-management program improves pain and function in patients with PFOA. Level of Evidence II, Lesser quality RCT (eg, < 80% followup, no blinding, or improper randomization).

Objective: This retrospective study evaluated treatment with individually contoured molded bracing at early stages of the disease. Methods: We evaluated the medical records of patients undergoing treatment of Blount's disease with molded orthoses for medial decompression between 2010 and 2014. The deformity angle (Drennan's metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle) and Langenskiöld classification were measured before and after treatment by a pediatric orthopedic surgeon with over 5 years of practice, blinded for the study and patients. Results: The mean age was 2.57 years old. Four patients were female and six male. Half of the total sample had bilateral disease. The average deformity angle showed a statistically significant reduction after treatment (p <0.001). Gender and laterality did not statistically influence the change of the deformity angle after treatment (p> 0.05). Conclusion: The nightly use of molded orthoses for medial decompression was effective in reducing the metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle in Blount's disease in children under 3 years of age, regardless of gender and bilateral disease. Patients over 3 years old did not benefit from bracing. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to develop a pointing device controlled by head movement that had the same functions as a conventional mouse and to evaluate the performance of the proposed device when operated by quadriplegic users. METHODS: Ten individuals with cervical spinal cord injury participated in functional evaluations of the developed pointing device. The device consisted of a video camera, computer software, and a target attached to the front part of a cap, which was placed on the user's head. The software captured images of the target coming from the video camera and processed them with the aim of determining the displacement from the center of the target and correlating this with the movement of the computer cursor. Evaluation of the interaction between each user and the proposed device was carried out using 24 multidirectional tests with two degrees of difficulty. RESULTS: According to the parameters of mean throughput and movement time, no statistically significant differences were observed between the repetitions of the tests for either of the studied levels of difficulty. CONCLUSIONS: The developed pointing device adequately emulates the movement functions of the computer cursor. It is easy to use and can be learned quickly when operated by quadriplegic individuals.