Hundreds of orthotic combinations exist, so it is not surprising that figuring out what custom orthotic you need for your specific condition can seem daunting.
Your doctor and orthotics specialist will recommend the best type of brace for what your medical situation requires, whether you are dealing with a temporary sports injury or a chronic condition.
For a Bone Fracture
A fracture brace is a crucial step between when the molded cast is removed following a bone fracture and the phase in which you are completely recovered. Once the cast is removed, you will still need to protect the area from excessive motion, while also allowing for a limited range of motion to maintain flexibility and muscle strength.
Your fracture brace will be customized to suit your measurements and will include a combination of materials, such as custom graphite and metal as well as fabric straps that allow you to remove and adjust the orthosis.
For a Foot Drop
For patients with foot drop, lifting the affected foot high enough to move forward becomes virtually impossible. Foot drop is often a secondary symptom to a condition, which affects nerves and, consequently, interferes with your foot’s muscles. A surprisingly large number of medical conditions can cause foot drop, including diabetes, strokes, general nerve disorders, MS, and even having recently worn a leg cast.
The proper custom orthosis for foot drop is known as an AFO, or ankle foot orthosis. An AFO typically has a piece, which supports the bottom of the foot, with connecting straps around the ankle, so that the wearer can walk with her foot placed in the normal, 90 degree position.
For Scoliosis
An orthosis for scoliosis does the “heavy lifting” in helping to halt, and correct, the characteristic spinal curve of scoliosis, especially if a child or teen begins to wear it early enough.
In many cases an orthotic back brace can completely correct the problem. The orthotic will usually be made of rigid plastic, and customized to the child’s frame. Each of the three main types of orthosis for scoliosis is a little different and will depend on the positioning and severity of the spinal curve. The Charleston type is mainly used at night, for example, while the Boston and Milwaukee types are considered “23 hour” orthoses.
For Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy can present a number of challenges, sometimes simultaneously. For this reason, several types of braces have been found to be helpful in limiting the challenges of cerebral palsy face as well as to help prevent future ones.
Examples of the ways in which orthoses can help people with cerebral palsy include wrist and hand braces to help encourage small motor skills, ankle orthoses for foot drop, leg and foot braces to help control muscle spasms, and back braces to support the core.
If you need a consultation about what type of custom orthosis is available for you in the Arkansas area, contact Horton’s Orthotics and Prosthetics at 501-683-8889. Whether you have basic questions about orthotics in Arkansas, or you need help filling your prescription, Horton’s Orthotics & Prosthetics can help.
