Orthopedic braces

Anatomy or system affected: Back, bones, joints, knees, musculoskeletal system, neck

Definition: A device to aid a joint by immobilization, restriction of movement, movement assistance, weight-bearing support, or postural maintenance

Indications and Procedures

Orthopedic braces have been developed for virtually any joint of the human body. Braces are used to prevent injury, maintain function, or enhance rehabilitation. They are often used in sports-related activities. Individuals who are considered susceptible to a specific injury are given a brace to reduce the chances of injury. Some individuals may have had a previous injury that affects performance or the ability to perform day-to-day activities. These people are given braces to help them function normally or obtain closer-to-normal function. People who are recovering from an injury may also use braces to help speed up the recovery process and protect against further injury.

When professionals choose a specific brace, several factors must be considered, including the type of shoes worn, the type of playing surface, the type of activity, previous injuries, weather, and the individual’s attitude about wearing braces. Selecting the appropriate brace is critical for protecting the body part or decreasing recovery time.

For orthopedic braces to perform well, they must be positioned properly, securely fastened, easy to put on, comfortable, and durable. Improper placement may increase the chances of injury. Adjustments to the brace during activity may also be necessary if the brace becomes loose and moves around. Many athletes do not like wearing braces because they find them uncomfortable, do not like to spend time putting them on, and believe they can negatively affect performance. Therefore, good braces generally are easy to apply and are made of comfortable, light materials. The durability of materials used in brace construction is also important because braces are often exposed to sweat, environmental elements, and impact with other objects during normal use.

Uses and Complications

Braces fall into one of two broad types, prophylactic and rehabilitative. Prophylactic braces are used to protect joints from injuries during various activities, many of which fall in the category of competitive sports. These braces stabilize the joint to protect it against contact forces, lateral movements, falls, or repetitive movements. Rehabilitative braces are used after an injury or surgery to support joints or limit movements and assist the healing process.

The most commonly injured joint is the ankle. There are numerous ankle braces on the market, such as lace-up braces, elastic braces, and semirigid braces. Still, it is common to see standard ankle taping as an injury prevention technique. Despite these numerous options, professionals do not agree on which method of ankle bracing is best.

Another common joint injury is to the knee, especially the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Many different knee braces have been designed, ranging from simple neoprene to more elaborate hinged braces. Although these braces cannot completely protect the knee, they do help to stabilize the joint.

Upper extremity braces are also used. Specialized braces are made for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, and fingers. These braces include casts, cuffs, and splints, as well as basic and kinesthetic taping. By limiting some movements at specific joints, the joints are protected from some injuries or reinjuries.

Braces can be used to protect the core of the body as well as with neck, back, abdominal, and rib braces. Neck or cervical collars are used to stabilize the neck and, in some cases, to limit movement. Back braces help to reduce back pain by supporting the back and abdominal muscles. Abdominal binders are generally used to compress the abdominal muscles, which may have been weakened by incisions from surgery or childbirth. Rib belts are used to compress the chest area and restrict the expansion of the rib cage. This is beneficial for individuals with chest injuries, such as broken ribs or chest infections.

In general, braces are noninvasive and present few complications to the individual as long as they are put on appropriately. They have been successfully used to prevent injuries and assist in rehabilitation without major risks to the individuals using them.

Perspective and Prospects

Advances in orthopedic braces are due in part to better materials and enhanced designs. A common brace many years ago was the plaster cast. These casts are very effective at immobilizing body parts, but they are not commonly used for athletes because of their greater weight, limited durability, and hardness, which pose a danger to other athletes. Silicone rubber splints are used in competitive contact sports because they are rigid enough to stabilize the body part but soft enough that the injured athlete or opponents are not put at risk of injury from contact with the device.

Thermoplastics are materials that can be shaped when heated to fit a specific body part. Upon cooling, the material hardens to the shape of the limb and helps to protect it. However, the thickness is less than other braces, and thermoplastics cannot be used for recent fractures. One of the more common materials used in the construction of orthopedic braces is neoprene. Neoprene works well because it compresses the joint, which reduces pain, helps warm the joint (which aids healing), and helps train the body to react to external forces. Since neoprene is soft and light, it is comfortable to wear.

By combining new materials with better designs, orthopedic braces continued to improve. They became lighter, stronger, softer, easy to put on, and more durable. Most important, they better protected the body parts from injury. In the twenty-first century, doctors could use 3D printing to increasingly customize orthopedic braces to the patient and their injury.

Bibliography

Jacoby, Dana. “5 Orthopedic Trends to Expect in 2023.” Vector Medical Group, 24 Mar. 2023, vectormedicalgroup.com/blog/five-new-orthopedic-trends-to-look-out-for. Accessed 31 July 2023.

Perrin, David H. Athletic Taping and Bracing. 3d ed. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics, 2012.

Prentice, William E. Arnheim’s Principles of Athletic Training. 14th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011.

Street, Scott, and Deborah Runkle. Athletic Protective Equipment: Care, Selection, and Fitting. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2000.