Introduction: The knee joint is a complex hinge joint, anatomically composed of three parts: bones, internal structures, and external structures. The knee joint includes two cruciate ligaments, which are located intra-articularly and run in an X-shape, connecting the femur to the tibia. The anterior cruciate ligament prevents anterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur, especially in the flexed position of the knee, thereby providing a key part of the anteroposterior and rotational stability of the joint. Injury to this ligament is common in athletes and can cause joint instability. Treatment involves ligament reconstruction and rehabilitation. Knee braces are an important part of conservative and postoperative treatment which help protect, stabilize, and recover the knee. Purpose: The purpose of the thesis is to research and present the advantages and disadvantages of knee orthoses used after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, based on a review of professional and scientific articles. Methods: Literature search was conducted in the bibliographic databases PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. There were no relevant sources in the Slovenian language, so the search was limited to English. Articles from the period 2014–2024 dealing with rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and the use of knee orthoses were included in the analysis. Older or linguistically inappropriate sources were excluded. Results: The literature review identified five relevant articles discussing the use of knee orthoses after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. These include four clinical studies and one meta-analysis. The authors' opinions and research findings differ, some authors report positive effects of braces on rehabilitation, stability, and patient confidence, while others did not find statistically significant benefits of their use. Discussion and conclusion: A systematic review of five studies shows that early use of knee orthoses does not significantly affect graft stability or reduce the risk of re-injury, while functional knee orthoses have a positive impact on the subjective sense of stability and confidence when returning to sports activities. Routine prescription of orthoses has proven to be unjustified due to the lack of clinically significant effects on functional outcomes. Knee orthoses are particularly useful in patients with kinesiophobia as psychological support. The key factors for successful rehabilitation remain an individualized approach, physiotherapy and kinesiology exercises, and psychological preparation.
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