@skye not heard this from a doctor but I have from multiple physiotherapists. This is how they explained it to me.

If you use a brace the muscles will do less work, lose tone and flexibility then when you remove the brace you do more damage to that area due to losing muscle definition. They recommend using the brace only when needed and to add more exercise and stretching routines in to minimise muscle loss.

Using a cane only on one side. You start to lean to one side as well as lose muscle definition unless you do more exercises ect. As this starts effecting your posture you start putting more weight and pressure on specific points making them deteriorate faster. Better to use crutches to lessen posture impact and to added more exercises and stretching.

Wheelchair. As you are not using your hips and legs you will start to degrade your muscles unless you exercise and stretch more which puts more pressure on joints when you do not use it causing them to wear down faster.

Their opinion is to use aids as little as possible and to add exercise and stretches to your routine to strengthen the muscles around the injured area to increase stability and minimise extra damage to the injured area. Improving blood circulation which helps your body heal that area and aids recovery. Increases flexibility which helps lessens future damage and premature wear and rare.

I haven't seen any published scientific journals or papers for a few years on the subject but I do remember the physio showing me some of their publications and text books on that subject.

You could see if you can find any journals or papers from physiotherapists more than doctors.