Orthoses are orthopedic products that are used for joint injuries, sprains, fractures, or to prevent such injuries. They are worn on the ankle, knees, wrist, neck and finger.
In this article we will tell you how to properly put on and wear different types of orthoses.
Ankle foot orthoses have a comfortable design that makes them easy to put on and take off.
Soft or semi-hard
An elastic or semi-rigid product is worn on a bare leg or on a cotton sock. The maximum continuous wearing time is 6 hours. Then the orthosis needs to be removed for 30 minutes, and the skin should be treated with any antiseptic.
Hard
Rigid products for serious fractures, dislocations or torn ligaments should only be worn over a seamless cotton sock or stocking. During the day, it is necessary to remove the orthosis several times for 30 minutes every 6-8 hours.
Some models have clasps, straps or laces that help adjust the degree of fixation. It should be reduced slightly every day to prevent deterioration of blood circulation and muscle atrophy and gradually increase the range of motion of the ankle.
We recommend that you wear the orthosis for the first time in the presence of an orthopedic doctor. He will be able to determine the correct degree of fixation and set the period of wearing the product.
Contraindications
Usually, after the first use of the orthosis, red spots may appear on the skin. If you remove the product, the redness disappears in an average of 15 minutes. But if it does not go away, itching and rash appear, then it is an allergy and you need to change the orthosis to another.
You cannot wear an ankle brace if your skin is damaged by fungus, bacteria or viral diseases.
It is also forbidden to use the product if the foot is severely swollen, the skin has abrasions, cracks or burns.
How to wear a knee brace
How to wear
Soft models, without hard inserts or ribs, can be put on as easily as a sock. But semi-rigid and rigid products must be put on for the first time under the supervision of an orthopedic doctor. He will show and tell you how to do it correctly and fix the orthosis on the knee.
To avoid feeling discomfort when wearing the product, we advise you to consult a doctor who will adjust the fastenings.
Contraindications
It is prohibited to wear a knee brace if:
- boil;
- varicose veins, venous insufficiency or thrombophlebitis;
- acute infectious diseases of the knee joint;
- skin allergies in the knee area;
- skin injuries: cracks, cuts, abrasions or burns;
- individual intolerance to product materials.
If after several hours of wearing the orthosis, a rash, redness, swelling or itching appears on the skin, the product should be removed and consult a doctor.
How much to wear
How long to wear a knee brace depends on the model and the severity of the injury.
In case of fractures, rupture of ligaments or tendons, rigid orthoses must be worn continuously until the injury heals.
Semi-rigid retainers are worn 2-6 hours a day and removed at night.
Elastic sports orthoses are worn before training. This helps athletes avoid knee injuries during high physical activity.
How to care
Elastic fasteners can be washed by hand with any powder or soap solution. And they can only be dried by laying them out on a flat surface - it is forbidden to hang them on hot radiators or a heated towel rail.
For hard models, it is enough to regularly wipe with a damp cloth with an antiseptic - especially the side that is adjacent to the skin.
Severity of injury
To determine what kind of ankle orthosis you need and whether you can choose one yourself, you need to determine the severity of the injury. There are three degrees of damage to the articular-ligamentous apparatus of the foot:
- Easy. Signs: no swelling or slight swelling, mild pain, slight limitation of movement, the patient can walk and fully transfer body weight to the injured limb. The recommended type of ankle is an elastic or neoprene ankle, which provides the desired level of compression and does not restrict the movement of the joint. You can choose it yourself!
- Average. Signs: swelling (mild to severe), moderate (tolerable) pain, moderate limitation of movement, difficulty walking and bearing weight on the injured limb. The recommended type of ankle is the ankle, which compresses the joint and provides its fixation with the help of stiffeners. Prescribed by a doctor!
- Heavy. Signs: severe swelling and hematoma, severe pain, complete limitation of movement, the patient cannot bear weight on the injured limb. The recommended type of ankle is ankle, which provides complete immobility of the ankle joint. Prescribed by a doctor!
How to wear a wrist brace
The wrist brace is as easy to put on as a sports wristband. And the degree of fixation can be easily adjusted with a Velcro fastener.
Such an orthosis can be of two types:
- is worn only on the wrist area of the hand;
- is worn on the wrist and thumb for secure fixation.
Most often, a wrist orthosis is worn before playing sports or physical activity. It is worn when there is a load on the wrist joint to prevent injury.
If the orthosis is used for injuries or in the post-traumatic period, it must be worn all day. It is advisable to remove it at night to prevent muscle atrophy.
Contraindications
It is prohibited to use a wrist joint orthosis if:
- high level of destruction (destruction) of the joint;
- skin diseases and inflammations in the area of application of the product;
- allergies to the material from which the orthosis is made;
- malignant skin tumors at the site where the orthosis is worn.
Ankle orthosis: types, degrees of fixation, how to choose
An ankle orthosis is a simple and effective means of immobilization, which is used for instability, injuries, inflammatory processes in the ankle, as well as during sports. The purpose of the bandage is to fix the joint to one degree or another, reducing the load. Depending on the rigidity, the orthosis can be considered as a replacement for an elastic bandage or plaster cast; with light and medium degrees of fixation, the use does not require wearing special shoes.
Types of ankle orthoses by functionality
- unloading - to reduce the impact on the joint without limiting mobility;
- corrective - to gradually eliminate or prevent the development of joint and distal deformities;
- fixing - for immobilization of the joint after injury or during exacerbation of the inflammatory process;
- dynamic - to restore joint mobility in an unstable state of the muscular system, for example, after a stroke.
Manufacturers of ankle orthoses presented in our GLAWORTH store always indicate the functionality of the products and their intended use. However, the final decision must be made by a specialist. Catalog of ankle-foot orthoses at this link.
Degrees of fixation of ankle orthoses
Lightweight - achieved by using elastic bandages without stiffeners or inserts. Products in this category are used for bruises, sprains, dislocations, and they are also used in sports to reduce the load on the joint. The group of light fixation also includes the so-called medicinal bandages, the elastic fabric of which is impregnated with medications to speed up the recovery of the joint or disinfect the wound. The elastic bandage is invisible under clothing, does not require changing shoes and can be worn around the clock, including by children.
Medium/moderate - ensured by adding stiffeners (metal, plastic) to the elastic material. Orthoses of this degree of rigidity are indispensable for people with chronic ankle instability; in addition, they are used for injuries of moderate severity and during the rehabilitation period after operations. A distinctive feature is the combination of massage and compression (warming) effects, which contribute to the restoration of the joint.
Strong/semi-rigid - used as an alternative to a plaster cast for injuries with ligament damage, severe ankle instability, flaccid foot paralysis and other pathologies. The product is a durable elastic woven boot with stiffening ribs and additional fixing inserts. The design includes lacing or Velcro fasteners to select optimal fixation parameters and change them as necessary.
Full/rigid - for complete immobilization of the foot in case of ankle fractures. The product includes a frame made of medical plastic and rigid inserts that ensure reliable fixation of the joint. Since this product is worn around the clock, manufacturers pay special attention to the quality of materials in contact with the skin - the appearance of pathogenic flora is excluded, and the foot is provided with maximum comfort due to moisture removal and ventilation.
When an orthosis is a replacement for plaster
Depending on the extent of the ankle injury, your doctor may recommend a semi-rigid or rigid ankle brace. In the first case, the product will be elastic, in the second - made of medical plastic with complete fixation of the joint for proper fusion of bones. Since the orthosis, unlike a plaster cast, is removable, wearing it does not interfere with regular examination by a specialist. As you recover, the plastic structure can be easily replaced with an elastic product of semi-rigid fixation with a precise fit to the leg. Excellent breathability and the absence of allergenic materials and components allow you to maintain the injured limb in comfort. Light massage and warming effects accelerate recovery. For closed ankle fractures, there are no contraindications to replacing the plaster cast with an express orthosis of the appropriate degree of fixation.
How to choose an orthosis
An ankle orthosis of any degree of fixation is an orthopedic product, so its use requires specialist advice. If you have received them, then you just have to choose a model. The assortment of the GLAVORT online store includes only bandages and orthoses from brands with a high reputation in the Russian and global markets and positive reviews from orthopedists. Please note: all medical products are certified and contain clear manufacturer recommendations for sizing. Size tables are given in product descriptions. If you find it difficult to choose, then use the help of GLAVORT specialists - they have special knowledge sufficient to select orthopedic products according to your requirements and doctors’ recommendations.
How to wear a finger brace
Only a doctor should put on and remove a finger brace. Therefore, after purchasing the product, you should immediately go to a traumatologist or orthopedist. The specialist will put on the orthosis, adjust the level of fixation, and tell you when you can remove the product - the doctor will also do this.
It is prohibited to remove the orthosis before the date approved by the doctor. If a fastening defect is discovered on it or any discomfort appears (numbness of the finger, tingling), you should consult a doctor, but under no circumstances remove the product.
Contraindications
You cannot wear a finger brace if:
- diabetes mellitus;
- gout;
- the presence of wounds on the skin of the finger that are slowly healing or suppurating;
- cracks in the skin or sutures after surgery;
- poor blood circulation in the extremities.
Before purchasing a finger orthosis, be sure to consult with your doctor or orthopedist.
How to care
You should try not to wet the orthosis with water or other liquids. If this happens, it should be wiped with a dry or damp cloth. The use of any cleaning agents or detergents is prohibited.
Choosing the right ankle orthosis size
We remind you that the orthosis must be prescribed by a doctor, based on the diagnosis and individual characteristics of the patient (age, weight, etc.). In addition to the recommendations of the attending physician, it is necessary to take into account such factors as:
- foot size;
- width of the ankle, ankle, lower leg, ankle.
The size of the ankle joint orthosis will depend on them. And remember: the more optimal the size of the orthosis is selected, the better. A product of the wrong size will not have the desired effect, but may well aggravate the problem.
You can get practical advice on how to determine the size of an ankle orthosis in our salon, where highly qualified specialists work.
Example of sizing for
How to wear a cervical brace
The cervical brace is placed on the bare neck and tightened so that blood circulates freely in the cervical region. Wear it only during the day during sedentary work or physical activity. The orthosis should be removed at night before going to bed.
This product can only be worn as prescribed by a doctor.
In the first few days, the orthosis should be worn for no more than 15 minutes. The neck needs to get used to such a collar. This will help eliminate discomfort. Every day the wearing time must be increased.
The maximum period during which a neck brace can be worn is 7 days. But still, the doctor sets the period, and in some cases it can be more than a week.
If during use of the product you experience pain or poor health, which may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, you should immediately consult your doctor.
Contraindications
It is prohibited to wear a neck brace when:
- skin diseases;
- open wounds, fresh scratches and abrasions;
- heart attack;
- brain damage, for example after a stroke;
- impaired blood flow in the neck;
- neoplasms in places where the orthosis adheres to the skin.
In any case, before putting on a neck brace, you should consult your doctor.
Indications for the use of ankle orthoses
Direct indications for the use of orthoses include:
- a whole complex of inflammatory and degenerative diseases (primarily arthritis and arthrosis), including chronic ones;
- fractures in the ankle area;
- ligament injuries of varying complexity;
- dislocations and subluxations in the ankle area;
- ankle instability;
- childhood congenital anomalies, rickets, etc.;
- prevention of injuries in athletes and overweight people.
Ankle size
The size range of ankle feet varies depending on the brand, but in general there are 4 parameters that determine the size of a given orthosis.
- Shoe size;
- Ankle circumference. Measured above the bone at the narrowest part of the ankle;
- Calf circumference. Measured between the knee and ankle (in the middle);
- Ankle circumference through heel. In order to measure this parameter, you need to place your foot firmly on the floor, apply a flexible tape to the edge of the heel and measure the ankle circumference at an angle, as shown in the figure. You need to measure below the bone.
If your parameters are on the border of two sizes, then in the case of the first three parameters you should choose a smaller size, since if you choose a larger size you risk not getting the desired level of compression.
Catalog of easy fixation ankles