While there are plenty of places where you can buy an off-the-shelf brace, there are certain conditions that require a specific customization in order for you to fully recover. Here are a few of the more common ones that we tend to treat:
- Foot Drop.
This is when you have difficulty lifting your foot, to the point that you can’t move forward on it. There are a number of different medical reasons for why foot drop can develop, including stroke, multiple sclerosis, diabetes and a range of different nerve disorders.
To treat foot drop, we usually craft what’s known as an ankle foot orthosis, or AFO for short. This consists of placing a supporting piece on the bottom of the foot and then connecting straps around the ankle, allowing the user to walk in a normal position.
It’s estimated that three percent of the population will develop this condition. It causes the spine to be bent or curved in a bad direction. If it’s especially severe or not caught early enough, some people have to go through surgery.
Luckily, an orthosis can usually correct the issue, especially if it’s worn early enough. There are three main types of scoliosis braces, and which one you have is dependent on the type of curvature you have. The Boston and Milwaukee braces are worn around the clock (except when bathing), while the Charleston is just worn at night. Each one consists of a rigid plastic exterior customized to your frame.
- Bone Fracture.
If you’ve broken a bone, chances are, you may need to protect the area for a while after the cast is removed. Excessive motion could cause the bone to fracture all over again.
What kind of fracture brace you get depends on the shape of your body, which bone you broke and where you broke it. Generally, we will craft something custom for you out of graphite, metal or even fabric straps so you can remove and adjust is as needed.
This is just a sample of the custom orthoses that we do here. There are many other conditions we can treat, including torticollis, plagiocephaly, cerebral palsy, Legg Perthes and more. If your bones, nerves, ligaments and muscles need that extra help, contact us today for an appointment!
Recent Comments