Various Types Of Orthopedic Leg Braces

Orthopedic leg braces are contraptions that are secured to the legs and utilized for a lot of purposes. It is worn around the knee and functions by reducing the pressure off around it. Thus the orthopedic leg braces support the knees and brings stability that is needed for different vigorous physical activities.

The orthopedic leg braces have three main functions. It is mainly used by people who are experiencing knee joint problems such as arthritis and ortheoarthritis to assist in relieving the painful symptoms of these chronic diseases. It may also be utilized by athletes to help minimize the chance of injuries. It can also be employed by people who are getting well from injuries to help immobilize the knee so that it can repair itself properly. Furthermore, they are also used to correct knee alignment.

There are four forms of orthopedic leg braces that have distinctive uses.

The first form is the prophylactic braces that are generally used by athletes who are active in injury-prone contact sports. They are neoprene braces that are worn to prevent injuries. They provide stability to the knee structure by not allowing it to rotate.

Another type of orthopedic leg braces is called rehabilitation braces. These types of braces are worn by people who have undergone serious knee injury or surgery. As it is utilized to stop the movement of recovering knees, these braces are usually larger than other braces.

Functional braces are employed by people who are recuperating from a knee injury as well as those who are experiencing pain due to an arthritic condition. Similar to prophylactic braces, these types of orthopedic leg braces give support and stability to the knees and help stop it from turning. Additionally it minimizes the rate for knee hyper extension and improves the energy and agility of the knees as well. They are also the cheapest forms of leg braces.

The last type of orthopedic leg braces is called the unloader braces.

They are prescribed to individuals who are experiencing pain because of arthritis or due to incorrect alignment They are typically composed of metal reinforcements that can provide stability when standing, walking, or when doing physical therapy exercises. They are also useful in alleviating the pain by carrying away the weight from the side of the knee.

Various Types Of Orthopedic Foot Braces

Orthopedic foot braces, also known as ankle-foot orthoses or AFOs is a type of brace that serves the function of controlling and supporting the position and motion of the ankle, supplement muscle weakness, and correct deformities as well. It is usually made of plastic and is used to treat the effects of medical conditions on the muscle function of the foot area. These usual conditions include but are not limited to spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, polio, stroke, muscular dystrophy, peripheral neuropathy, and multiple sclerosis. Additionally, orthopedic foot braces can also be utilized to restrict foot movement after an injury as well as to correct foot-drop.

There are many types of orthopedic foot braces that can be utilized depending on the needs of the patient. The solid ankle-foot orthosis is one of these orthopedic foot brace. It is the most essential and regularly used orthopedic foot braces due to its flexibility and has a sufficient structure for walking and shaping the foot against deformity. However, this type of orthosis may not be applicable to some people that have a unique kind of posture.

The hinged ankle-foot orthosis is another type of orthopedic foot braces. As the name suggests, this orthosis has a hinge as compared to the solid AFO which allows a certain degree of mobility that isn't restricted. A hinged AFO is ideal for people who are already recovering from an injury or condition and is expected to gain mobility and strength.

A special kind of orthopedic foot braces is known as a spiral ankle-foot orthosis. It has a spiral support structure that allows for a better flexibility while still limiting and encouraging motion in a preferred direction. This type of orthosis is ideal for people who fall when wearing stiff braces. However, these types of orthosis is complicated to produce as well as adjust to its shape.

What has been discussed are just the most basic types of orthopedic foot braces as there are more specific types that are useful for certain conditions. Therefore if you require one, the first step is consulting a specialist and discuss your options which of these orthopedic foot braces are the most appropriate for your condition.

How Orthopedic Ankle Braces Help?

Ankle injuries are known as one of the most typical experienced injuries by both athletes and regular people alike which is why orthopedic ankle braces are really important. Orthopedic ankle braces essentially keep your ankle stable and relieves the pressure off it by immobilizing it. This is very crucial as ankle injuries such as sprains and strains are too painful when moved. The use of orthopedic ankle braces reduces the pain felt and assists the injured part to heal by dramatically reducing the trauma inflicted to it when walking.

There are actually different types of orthopedic ankle braces that can address treatment of ankle injuries. Normally, rigid ankle braces are the ones immediately placed when an ankle injuty happens. This type of ankle braces completely prevents the ankle from moving so the patient cannot further cause injury to that part. Immobilizing the ankle at once after being injured is utterly important as it is very painful for the person affected even if the foot was just moved for a bit. Furthermore, immobilizing the injured ankle protects the newly injured area from further damage or injury.

The functional ankle braces is another form of orthopedic ankle braces. It includes Aircast or semirigid braces, soft braces, and lace-up braces. As compared to rigid ankle braces, these types of braces provides more mobility to the ankle. A recent study even concluded that treating acute ankle sprains with functional ankle braces can lead to better results compared to the treatment that involves immobilizing the ankle with rigid ankle braces. Those who treated their ankle injury with functional ankle braces have shorter recovery period, less swelling and instability, and greater overall satisfaction.

In addition, athletes involved in sports that are susceptible to ankle injuries such as basketball and football, can use a special type of orthopedic ankle braces known as prophylactic ankle braces. These types of braces are a preventive measure against ankle injuries. They are very suitable for athletes who have a history of ankle injury thereby lessening the probability of recurring injury. The disadvantage of using these kind of bracers is that it can limit ankle movement which some people may find uncomfortable thereby affecting performance.

Canine Orthopedic Braces For Your Dog

Dogs, like humans, also suffer from pain and injury which is why there are specially designed canine orthopedic braces for dogs. These braces vary in forms depending on the type of injury and of course, the size of the dog. They are highly important as this assists an injured dog recover and heal the affected area by providing the needed support and stability. The canine orthopedic braces can lessen the trauma that has occured when the dog is moving around with the injury.

The hip hound brace is one good example of canine orthopedic brace. It is typically wrapped around the hips of the dog since it's designed  to support the lower back and hip area of the dog. This type of braces are normally used to treat dogs suffering from arthritis, hip dysplasia, decreased endurance, low back pain, and back leg limping. It is also ideal for dogs who are recovering from a surgery or injury.

The other types of canine orthopedic braces are the ones used in treating several limb injuries of dogs. Included in this category are stifle braces for the knee, hock and paw braces, elbow braces, and carpus and paw braces. These types of canine orthopedic braces are used after a surgical procedure, so that the recovering dog can still move around while the injured body part is still healing. Another plus of canine orthopedic braces is that it protects further loss of muscle mass during the healing while providing correct position to  the affected body into the normal position especially when it was dislocated.

There are several considerations that you have to keep in mind when getting your pet dog canine orthopedic braces. First of all, make sure that the braces that you are getting have no metal in them as they are counterproductive to the recovery of the dog. The more suitable braces are made out of composite rubber joints as they are sturdy and works well with the movement of the dog.

When buying canine orthopedic braces for your dog always remember that it's your pet’s veterinarian  who should make the cast for your dog. Never be contented with braces without custom fittings as it may not be effective at all for your dog.

Orthopedic Shoulder Brace - How It Helps?

An orthopedic shoulder brace is a device often used in treatment of shoulder injuries. Basically what it does is that it restricts the movement of the shoulder so that it doesn’t move unnecessarily. This is really crucial since shoulder injury can be very painful for a person and keeping the shoulder restricted is the key to quicker recovery. Normally, the group of people who commomly need orthopedic shoulder braces are athlethes as they are very susceptible to shoulder injuries. Nevertheless, anyone is possible to have a shoulder injury from ordinary activities or events like incorrect sleeping position, rolling off the bed, or lifting an object that is too heavy.

Orthopedic shoulder braces is sometimes worn by athletes to protect themself from having injuries in their activities. While it doesn’t really make them injury-free from shoulder dislocation or other injuries, it can significantly lessen the prevalence rate. However, there is a drawback to wearing orthopedic shoulder brace while playing or training as it can restrict the body movement of the athlete thus severely limiting their ability to perform or compete effectively.

There are two different types of orthopedic shoulder braces. The first type is usually known as thermal wraps. These shoulder braces have a heating and cooling mechanism that can help alleviate the pain that is associated with repetitive or long term injuries. These materials are often made of neoprene since this can maintain the intended temperature better than other materials. A more expensive version of this type of orthopedic shoulder brace is a magnetic wrap. However, it only has a heating mechanism and doesn’t offer cooling unlike thermal wraps.

The second type of orthopedic shoulder braces are  usually referred to as modern shoulder slings. It is an immobilizer that efficiently restricts  the movement of the shoulder to prevent further damage and injury. A modern shoulder sling is an actual wrap that goes around your chest, your wrist, and above your elbow. Modern shoulder slings lets your shoulder to rest making it more susceptible to recovery and healing.

Ultimately,a special type of orthopedic shoulder brace is known as the shoulder posture brace. Its main function is to correct posture problems so it's not really suited for helping a person recover from a shoulder injury.

What Is Orthopedic Neck Brace?

Orthopedic neck braces or cervical collars are essential orthopedic medical equipment that is utilized on the cervical part of an individual's spinal cord and also their head. It is often used by emergency medical personnel on people who have just undergone traumatic head and neck injuries. Apart from emergency circumstances, an orthopedic neck brace may also be employed therapeutically on chronic medical diseases, as well as a protective gear in high-risk motorsports such as go-kart racing, speedboat racing, and Motocross.

The main function of an orthopedic neck brace is to help people who have been through a serious neck injury. It functions as a stabilizer to the neck that lessens the chance of further spinal damage.

This is critical as spinal damage can lead to paralysis or even death. The brace stabilizes the first seven bones of the spine and it is typically kept until an appropriate medical diagnosis resolved the next step to take.

Another use of an orthopedic neck brace is for recovering from a serious neck injury or surgery. Stabilizing the spine is critical when recuperating as it lets the body heal itself in a correct manner. Unnecessary movements will not encourage such healing and therefore the neck brace restricts the neck for this purpose.

People with certain chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis may also need an orthopedic neck brace especially when walking to prevent migraine headaches. A few neck braces can even help regulate extreme temperatures by absorbing the excess energy when the temperature becomes hotter and releasing it once it becomes colder. This in turn can help prevent muscle spasms that cause pain and prolong healing.

Furthermore, there are several types of orthopedic neck braces that may be prescribed to a patient.  The most ordinary ones are hard and soft collars. The former is prescribed for people who have just been on a serious injury while the latter is used for individuals who are already recuperating. Another form is the Philadelpia collar which is utilized by people who have just been through a cervical spine surgery to encourage a healthy recuperation. The most inflexible type of neck brace is the halo which has metal rings and attached by metal pins. This is given to people that have the most fragile neck conditions that needs complete immobilization.

What Are The Functions Of Orthopedic Back Braces?

Orthopedic back braces have different kinds but the primary purpose of this device is to give back support to the patient. They come in the form of belts, corsets, and jackets that are specially designed to provide stability to the spine or immobilize it. Orthopedic back braces are employed to treat infections, trauma, muscular weakness, neck conditions, and low back pain. They can also modify the spine into many positions like upright, neutral, flexed, lateral-flexed, and hyperextended.

The functions of orthopedic back braces are to allow healing to take place, decrease the chance of further injury, control the pain, prevent or correct a deformity, and make up for muscle weakness. Several types of orthopedic back braces constrict the abdomen and as a result, increasing the intra-abdominal pressure and providing some relief. It also insulates the skin which produces warmth that decrease the sensation of pain, making it very effective for people who have painful back problems.

An example of orthopedic back braces is the trochanter belt that is prescribed for patients with sacroiliac joint pain or pelvic fractures. It clasps in the front and is put on like a regular belt with the help of Velcro straps. What's great about it is that it is unobtrusive,  can be worn under your clothes without sticking out, and you can sleep with it if it is required.

Another form of orthopedic back braces are medical corsets which can vary in length. The short ones are usually employed for treating low back pain while the longer ones are used for problems in the mid to lower thoracic spine. Corsets typically extend over the buttocks, are held up by shoulder straps and contain metal stays that provides the needed rigidity and back support.

Finally there are hyperextension braces that are prescribed for spinal fractures as well as for people who are recovering from a spinal surgery. These type of orthopedic back braces stop excessive bending by limiting the movement of the spine, therefore letting it heal and recover correctly.

Using orthopedic back braces has drawbacks as well. It may lead to loss of muscle function due to immobilization. Additionally, some people become psychologically dependent on the back brace after they are already healed and don't have to use them anymore.