Types of Braces

One of the most common uses of a bracing device is in an acute injury situation. These types of injuries may include:

• Low-grade ankle sprains
• Elbow tendonitis (such as Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow)
• Low-grade wrist pain.

With acute injuries, bracing may be used as a temporary pain reliever because the brace will limit movement of the injured limb without causing total disuse of the structures that were not affected by the initial injury. Some common materials that are found in braces for this purpose include neoprene and other soft materials that are not extremely rigid in nature. Some benefits of using bracing in this type of instance include:

• Conservative treatment for the injury
• Following instructions of the brace will increase the chances that other forms of treatment will not need to be rendered because it will enhance the likelihood that the injury will heal as planned
• These braces are most of the time removable.

Another way that braces are utilized occurs in the prevention of injuries. For example, almost every employee that works in an environment where they are required to lift is required to wear a back brace when they are working. This is an everyday use of bracing for prevention. There are some concerns that may arise with this type of brace utilization:

• Use it or lose it.. This applies to the body because this exact principle acts on the muscle mass of the body whenever it is not challenged or maintained. Bracing at times can take some of the stress away from the body because the load that the body should have to deal with in a typical lift is then transferred to the brace
• The individual using the brace can develop a psychological dependency in that every time the person does an activity they feel like they cannot perform without extra support.

Instead, it is recommended that the brace be taken off during those times that controlled activities are taking place, but worn during the weekly basketball game when injury is likely. In this way, bracing is used in a correct fashion and can prove to be very beneficial in the end.

As discussed before, bracing can be used in the post-immobilization patient. Two examples of this are:

• Post ACL reconstruction
• When an individual breaks a bone and is placed in a cast for several weeks

In the examples listed above, it is normal for all of the musculature surrounding the injured joint to become much weaker. For this reason, doctors will often require that the patient to wear a brace to help the muscles as well as the joint readjust to not being in a cast. This will allow the atrophied muscles to become stronger and learn to deal with the normal everyday stresses that are placed on a normal pain free joint. This brace will also be removable which will allow for better rehabilitation exercises.

The last way that bracing can be used is for more of a specific condition. This condition is osteoarthritis of the knee, and in recent studies, bracing in fact allows for more mobility and activity in patients suffering from this. Pain is also said to decrease on average of 48% in the nine patients that underwent the study done by Hewett et al. This may be something to consult a physician about if the patient suffers from osteoarthritis of the knee.

Below there is a list of some common bracing guidelines as well as a brief description of different types of braces that may be prescribed by a doctor or recommended by other health care professionals:

 

• Grade 1: Air cast for 3-6 wks
• Grade 2: same (may be replaced by tape at the end of 6 wks for additional support during exercise)
• Grade 3: Removable walking cast for 1-4 wks, and an air cast after that

ACL Bracing:

Types:
• Prophylactic: Prevents or reduces the severity of ligament injuries
• Rehabilitation Brace: Allows for protected/controlled motion of injuries treated operatively or non-operatively.
  *This type of brace is most commonly used post ACL reconstruction
• Functional: Provides support to unstable knees during exercise or strenuous activities
• Transitional: This brace is often used between the rehabilitation and functional braces that are used post ACL Reconstruction