Types of Braces & Appliances

A brace is a medical aid worn to help support a specific joint. By immobilizing the joint, restricting its motion or reducing the amount of weight applied to it, a properly fitted brace can help speed the recovery time of many different types of joint injuries, especially those incurred while playing sports. Most braces work by applying external pressure and/or mechanical support to the affected joint. While most braces are not designed to prevent new injury, some cushion the forces acting on the joint, thereby reducing the chance of injury.

Ankle Brace

• Ankle braces are designed to improve joint stability by supplying pressure around the ankle. Most ankle braces can be worn with footwear and come equipped with straps so that the amount of pressure applied can be adjusted to suit the injury. Ankle braces are mainly used to treat ankle sprains and minor ankle instability.

Back Brace

• Back braces are made up of a broad, comfortable pad attached to a large strap that fits around the entire lower back and waist of the patient. The intent of a back brace is to alleviate pain and discomfort by evenly distributing pressure in the lower back region.

  While back braces are commonly used to reduce aching and chronic pain, they are sometimes used proactively by people engaging in back-straining activities.

Elbow Brace

• Elbow braces are typically worn to prevent the overstretching of the elbow joint. The most important factor is that brace be anatomically fitting so that the joint's range of motion is restricted. Some elbow braces feature adjustable straps that can be used to alter the limitations of the elbow joint. Special types of elbow braces are available for specific sports injuries, including tennis elbow and golfer's elbow.

Knee Brace

• Many athletes endure knee injuries that require them to wear a knee brace afterward in order to speed recovery and remain competitive. Knee braces function by compressing the area around the knee joint to improve mobile stability. It is crucial that knee braces fit snugly so that they don't loosen or slip off while the person is running or walking.

Neck Brace

• Neck braces are usually composed of a rigid foam material that helps to restrict head movement by providing functional support of the neck and head between the jaw and collarbone. Neck braces are commonly used to treat whiplash and other acute neck injuries.

Shoulder Brace

• A common remedy for shoulder injuries is to use a device that limits shoulder movement. Shoulder braces are equipped with a large strap that fits around the chest and another smaller strap that holds the wrist. The brace is intended to immobilize the injured shoulder but often restricts the use of the corresponding hand, which is held firmly in place against the chest by the wrist strap. Shoulder injuries are common in baseball and football among pitchers and quarterbacks who are required to do a lot of throwing.

Wrist Brace

• Wrist braces are designed to improve wrist stability by compressing the area around the wrist joint. To preserve the functionality of the hand, most wrist braces do not completely immobilize the wrist joint. For this reason, the brace normally loops around the thumb and palm of the hand to ensure that patients can still firmly grip objects.

  Wrist braces are commonly used to treat strained wrists and arthritic patients; however, they are also used proactively in sports such as in-line skating and snowboarding in which the hands and wrists are often used to break falls.