Brace (orthopaedic)

An orthopaedic brace (also orthosis or orthotic) is a device used to:

• immobilise a jointor body segment,
• restrict movement in a given direction,
• assist movement,
• reduce weight-bearing forces, or
• correct the shape of the body.

(adapted from Rehabilitation Medicine, ISBN 0-397-50764-X)

Most often in the US, the last purpose listed above is what persons call in common speech a brace, whether it is made from elastic, neoprene, or a stiffer, more restrictive construction such as hard plasticor metal. An orthotic is most often understood to be a somewhat flexible device, often an insert for shoes, to correct leg length, fallen arches (flat feet), or some other foot problem.

In the UK a brace of this kind is usually referred to as a caliper, or sometimes mis-spelt as calliper. Often the older type of leg brace is meant, constructed of steel side bars and ring, with spurs which fit into a metal tube in the heel of an adapted shoe or boot, and with leather straps and bands around the leg to hold the splint in position. The straps can be secured with velcrobut many patients prefer buckles. This type of calipercan be either non-weight relieving or, by slight lengthening, made to relieve weight by raising the heel of the foot away from the heel of the shoe or boot. These splints have to be individually made by an orthotistor appliance maker, closely to fit the particular contours of the leg being supported.

See also

• Dental brace

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brace+%28orthopaedic%29 Wikipedia article Brace (orthopaedic).