Spring Loaded Tri-Compartment Unloader Knee Brace Study

Brief Summary

This study will examine clinical outcomes related to pain and function in patients with anterior knee pain (i.e. focal patella and/or trochlea cartilage defect(s), patellofemoral arthritis) before and after standard of care, non-surgical management with and without the addition of a Tri-Compartment Unloader (TCU) knee brace during activities of daily living. Randomly selected participants will wear a TCU brace for several weeks during physical therapy and activities of daily living that is designed to reduce compressive forces in all three compartments of the knee during weight-bearing flexion. Our hypothesis is that TCU bracing will improve clinical outcomes related to pain and function.