When you get sick or injured, there are many treatment options doctors may use to help you fully recover. Medication, therapies and surgery are the most commonly used forms of treatment. However, depending on the type of injury and body part involved, your doctor may recommend physical or practical forms of treatment, such as orthoses, to boost functionality and motion.
So what are orthoses? Can children use them? Which parts of the body do they treat, and what types are available? This article will help answer every question you might have about orthoses. Let’s start by defining orthoses.
What Are Orthoses?
Orthosis comes from the Greek word “ortho,” meaning to “correct” or “straighten.” It is an external orthopedic device designed and measured to fit an individual’s health needs. They help aid mobility and flexibility in specific body parts, such as legs, arms, fingers, etc. Custom-made orthoses give better results as they’re adaptable to the patient’s needs.
What Are the Different Types of Orthoses?
Here are some of the main types of orthoses you should know about.
Cervical Orthoses
Cervical orthoses are designed to support the chin and the occiput and reduce the range of motion from c2 to c5. They are primarily used to support spine conditions that are already stable.
Cervical Thoracic Orthoses
CTOs offer better and greater motion restrictions depending on the person’s body. They are mainly used in unstable fractures to limit movement.
Knee Orthoses
Knee orthoses are braces designed to strengthen your knee. The device can be worn around the knee to relieve the pressure on the knee joint that is affected by illnesses, such as arthritis. They can also provide stability to help you go on with your daily activities.
Ankle Foot Orthoses
There are a variety of protective external devices used on the ankle area to prevent injuries in highly risky athletic activities. They can also be worn to assist patients who are unable to walk due to instability.
Spine Orthoses
Spinal orthoses are external structures worn on the upper and mid-section of the body to limit movement and correct deformity or decrease axial loading and improve spinal alignment.
Arm Orthoses
Arm orthoses are small devices applied externally to improve or restore function in the nervous and musculoskeletal systems resulting from work-related injuries, sports or trauma. Depending on the injury, you can get a static orthosis that restricts motion or a functional orthosis that permits or promotes motion.
Hand and Wrist Orthoses
These devices begin at the fingers, run across the wrist and stop at the distal part of the forearm. They can help a paralyzed patient with grabbing and releasing.
Get Better With Orthotics and Prosthetics in Farmingdale, NY
If you’re looking for orthotics or prosthetics for you or your loved one, Prothotic Laboratories, Inc., is the place to go. Whether you need pediatric orthotics, scoliosis bracing or on-site fabrication, our high-quality orthoses can help provide a better quality of life without compromise. Call us today at (631) 753-4444, and we will be glad to help.