Orthoses (braces) are complex devices. Knowledge of medical conditions and practical training to assess the causes of mobility deficiencies are required to render effective orthotic treatments.
An orthosis is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ type of device. Patients have unique medical conditions, measurements and daily living needs. Effective orthoses are custom-made or custom fit to each patient.
Common Orthoses Types
| Foot Orthoses | A pair of insoles that are typically designed to offload targeted areas of the foot and/or partially re-align the lower extremities. |
| SMO (Supramalleolar Orthosis) | An orthosis that extends just proximal to the malleoli. Provides all the ground-reaction control of a foot orthosis but can also apply three-point pressure systems in the frontal and transverse planes. |
| AFO (Ankle Foot Orthosis) | Extends from the toes to the proximal tibia. Offers full or partial control of the ankle/foot complex and may be designed to partially control knee mechanics. |
| KAFO (Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis) | Extends from the toes to the proximal femur. Offers full or partial control of the knee, ankle, and foot, and may be designed to partially control hip mechanics. |
| KO (Knee Orthosis) | Extends from the mid-femur to the mid-tibia. Offers full or partial control of the knee joint. |
| WHO (Wrist Hand Orthosis) | Extends from the mid-radius to the palmar creases. Offers full or partial control of the wrist. May be designed as a WHFO (Wrist Hand Finger Orthosis) if additional control of the hand/digits is required. |
| Hand Orthosis | Extends from the wrist to the digits. Offers full or partial control of the hand/digits. |
| Elbow Orthosis | Extends from the proximal humerus to the distal radius. Offers full or partial control of the elbow. |
| Shoulder Orthosis | Coverage is variable, depending on requirement. Offers partial control of the shoulder. |
| TLSO (Thoraco-lumbo-sacral Orthosis) | Typically extends from T5 to the mid-sacral level. Offers partial control of T7-L5. |
| LSO (Lumbo-sacral Orthosis) | Typically extends from T10 to the mid-sacral level. Offers partial control of L2-L5. |
| CRO (Cranial Remodelling Orthosis) | A custom “helmet” that guides cranial growth in infants with positional plagiocephaly or brachycephaly. |
| CROW (Charcot Restraint Orthotic Walker) | A custom made brace that is designed to reduce pressure on the foot and the ankle for people who have a neuropathic ulcer and/or a Charcot Joint. |