Orthoses Information

Orthoses comprise the largest range of items in the health armoury. They are devices to support or assist a part of the body to perform its normal function or, in some cases, to promote healing by immobilizing part of the body. The wide variety includes shoe insoles, wrist straps, heat retainers and supports like Thermoskins, which help muscles to function better by keeping them warm. Structural support items can vary from a finger splint, through calipers and shoulder braces to full upper body braces. The most complex, dynamic devices include shoulder, elbow and, particularly, knee braces which provide all the necessary control and support to stabilize the joint while allowing free movement and function

Knee Braces
Although it appears to be a simple hinge, the knee is a major weight bearing joint. It is subject to a wide variety of stresses as it goes about its task of transporting a human body through its various daily activities. It is bent, twisted, side-thrust and sat on, and the whole flexible arrangement operates within the precise limits of a number of ligaments, and is operated by some of the most powerful muscles in the human body. As a consequence, when these ligaments are damaged or stretched, the knee joint can become unstable and allow greater leverage that will place increased strains on the damaged ligaments and aggravate the condition. The tendons attaching the muscles to the bones near the knee are also susceptible to strain and damage.

The greater the pain and lack of mobility, the more critical it is to have the condition properly diagnosed by a doctor who will recommend a suitable treatment to address the problem. Usually this entails either fitting a suitable knee brace or a course of physiotherapy or, perhaps both. In severe cases, surgical knee reconstruction may be required. (Think twice about that game of touch football!).

The knee brace may vary from a simple elastic support sleeve to a very complex limited range-of-motion rotational support brace. Whatever type may be required, it is essential for early relief and healing that a quality brace should be obtained from a recognised supplier who stocks the full range of sizes and types. It should be fitted by a certified fitter or, if it is a dynamic or complex brace, by an Orthotist. The range of off-the-shelf braces is very extensive these days, but our qualified Orthotist will also custom-make and fit braces and splints that fall outside the range. For severe instability, custom made weight bearing calipers may be necessary.