Orthoses

An orthosis is a prefabricated or custom-made device that helps to improve body function or structure. Keep reading to learn more about orthoses and how they can potentially benefit you.

What are orthoses?

Orthoses are externally applied devices that are fitted on the body for various reasons. Some orthoses are designed to improve biomechanical alignment while others help to correct or accommodate deformities. Physical therapists use orthoses to assist with rehabilitation by reducing pain and improving mobility. Sometimes orthoses are used for immobilization, for example, after spinal surgery. Orthoses allow many people with functional or structural problems to live more independent lives.

What are examples of orthoses?

There are various types of orthoses, some of which are described below.

• Head orthoses are used in children to correct the shape of the skull or protect the head from self-injury behaviors.
• Neck orthoses or a neck brace is used to protect the head and neck and prevent unwanted movement of the neck, for example, after an injury.
• Shoulder orthoses help provide stability and support to the shoulder joint and reduce pain and/or promote healing after surgery.
• Spine orthoses are used to stabilize the spine after trauma or spinal cord injury. They are also used in people with conditions like disc herniation, spondylosis, kyphosis, and scoliosis.
• Elbow orthoses help to mobilize or immobilize the elbow joint, i.e., assist with or prevent bending of the joint.
• Hand orthoses (braces and splints) are used to stabilize or reposition the digits while still allowing wrist movement.
• Finger orthoses or splints help with alignment of the digits and promote healing and function after injury or surgery.
• Hip orthoses are used to promote stability or reduce pain. They are sometimes used in children to aid proper positioning and development of the hip joint.
• Knee orthoses are used to stabilize the knee joints and improve function or reduce pain.
• Ankle foot orthoses are used for various ankle and foot conditions. For instance, foot orthoses can help stabilize the foot, support foot structure, reduce foot pain, or offload weight from high-pressure areas, depending on the patient's specific foot problems. Supportive braces for the foot and ankle help stabilize the ankle joint, improve gait, reduce heel pain, etc.

What are orthoses used for?

There are many uses of orthoses, some of which are listed below:

• Improve biomechanical alignment in a body segment.
• Correct or prevent an unusual positioning or distortion of a body part.
• Improve balance and provide a stable base while standing or walking (ankle foot orthosis).
• Reduce weightbearing on a part of the body, usually the lower limbs.
• Reduce fatigue by reducing energy demands.
• Correct a deformity or support a body part with deformity.
• Protect or support a body part after injury or trauma.
• Pain reduction by decreasing load or positioning the joint in a particular way.
• Support weak muscles.
• Improve mobility after surgery.
• Increase passive range of motion.
• Progressively allow changes in joint position.
• Relieve pressure (for example, with an ankle foot orthosis).
• Prevent joint contractures.
• Promote healing by offloading weight from a body part.
• Stabilize joints, for instance, after surgery or fracture.

What is an ankle foot orthosis?

In general, ankle foot orthoses (AFO) are designed to support and protect the foot and ankle and improve walking. These orthoses usually start below the knee joint and extend over the ankle and/or under the foot. They come in many designs to meet a variety of needs and foot deformities. They are used for treatment of a wide range of conditions, including nerve damage, foot drop, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, stroke, cerebral palsy, and partial foot amputation.

Foot orthotics support the foot. They offload weight from high-pressure areas. Some foot orthoses improve gait by improving balance and biomechanics. Foot orthoses can be prescribed for clients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, plantar fasciitis, heel pain, overpronation, and metatarsalgia. A type of ankle foot orthoses called supramalleolar orthoses, for example, is used to correct pes planus (flat foot) or overpronation. A foot abduction orthosis may be recommended to patients with clubfoot.

What is a knee orthosis?

Knee orthoses are usually called knee braces. Healthcare professionals use them to improve stability of the knee joint, reduce pain, and support the joint during return to work or recreational activities after injury or surgery.

Prefabricated vs custom made orthoses

A prefabricated orthosis is made without specific client customization. Some of these extremity orthoses can be partially customized to an individual's needs. However, they are usually pre-made orthoses that are usually meant for short-term use.

A custom-made orthosis is specially designed for an individual patient after a detailed clinical assessment. It is manufactured based on molds or casts obtained from the patient's body parts and is designed to address the patient's specific needs. A custom-made orthosis cannot be used for anyone except the person for whom it was manufactured.

What's the difference between foot orthoses and prosthesis?

As noted, orthoses are prefabricated or custom-made devices that help to improve body function and structure. A prosthesis is an artificial device that is used to replace a missing body part, for example, an amputated limb.

Finding a provider

Do you have heel pain? Do you suffer from limited mobility due to multiple sclerosis? Does plantar fasciitis make it difficult for you to walk? These are all conditions that can benefit from orthoses. The MeTime app makes it easy to find an experienced team of providers for ankle foot orthoses and other types of orthoses. You can click and upload pictures, chat with experts, and have suggestions sent directly to you. If you believe you could benefit from an orthosis, download the MeTime app today!