HANGER PROSTHETICS AND ORTHOTICS, INC.

Upper Extremity Soft Supports

Upper Extremity Soft Supports: Often referred to as soft goods, these orthoses include those braces that are fabricated/manufactured from neoprene, canvas, and fabric and can be reinforced with metal/plastic stays for additional support.

• Tennis Elbow or Golfers Elbow Brace is a counter force strap applied over the forearm flexor or extensor muscles.  It prevents full muscular contraction and redirects the pull of the muscle helping to reduce pain and stress placed at the site of injury. 
  
  Indications:
  Lateral epicondylitis - tennis elbow
  Medial epicondylitis - golfer's elbow
  

• Elbow Orthosis are available in neoprene and elastic materials and used primarily to stabilize the elbow joint. They provide support, compression, and help to limit unwanted motions. They are available with or without corrective straps and with or without aluminum joints.  (Fig.2)
  
  Indications:
  Over-use syndromes
  Tendonitis
  Epicondylitis syndromes
  Mild ligamentous instabilities
  Hyperextension instability
  
  

Wrist Hand Orthoses

Upper Extremity Positional Supports: These orthoses are designed to position the upper extremity so as to prevent unwanted contractures, maintain proper alignment, and to provide controlled range of motion physical and occupational therapy.

• Thumb Immobilizer Orthosis: This orthosis is designed to limit the motion that occurs at the wrist and thumb. (Fig.1)
  
  Indications:
  Over-use syndromes
  Post cast managements
  Ligamentous injuries
  Minor sprains/strains
  

• Static WHFO: Static or stationary wrist hand finger orthoses are designed to prevent contractures by maintaining proper joint alignment and finger position. (Fig.2)
  
  Indications:
  Maintenance of joint alignment
  Contracture prevention
  Hemiplegia
  Stroke
  Post fracture/cast
  Burns
  

• WHO: Wrist hand orthoses are designed to provide stability to the wrist while allowing the thumb and fingers to move freely. (Fig.4)
  
  Indications:
  Radial or ulnar weakness that may lead to deviations
  Carpal tunnel syndrome
  Over-use syndromes
  Tendonitis

• Wrist Hand Orthosis (WHO) with adjustable wrist joint: This WHO is designed with a wrist joint that allows your practitioner to set the angle of flexion/extension of the wrist where appropriate. This orthosis may be used to position the wrist and/or hand in a desired position or help gain range of motion. (Fig.1)
  
  Indications:
  Contractures
  Joint management
  Spinal cord injuries
  Burn patients

Elbow Orthoses

• Range of motion elbow orthosis: This orthosis is designed to provide for variable range of motion at the elbow joint. Your practitioner will set the joint according to your physician's prescription and/or recommendation. This orthosis may be used in many orthotic applications ranging from post-operative immobilization to fractures. (Fig.2)
  
  Indications:
  Postoperative immobilization
  Post cast immobilization
  Elbow arthroplasties
  Elbow injuries

Shoulder Orthoses

• Neoprene Shoulder Stabilizer: This orthosis is designed to work with shoulder pads (football/hockey) or independently. It aids in prevention of excessive extension and abduction of the shoulder. (not pictured)
  
  Indications:
  Mild shoulder instabilities/dislocations
  Ligamentous injuries
  Mild rotator cuff tears
  

• Gunslinger Orthosis: This orthosis positions the patient’s shoulder/upper extremity in various positions of flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and internal and external rotation. Commonly used post-operatively, it maintains the shoulder in a functional position to allow optimal healing and recovery. (Fig.3)
  
  Indications:
  Treatment of multi-directional shoulder instabilities
  Rotator cuff injuries
  Posterior shoulder repair

Upper Extremity Fracture Orthoses

Fracture Orthoses: The type of the fracture and the location determines what type of orthosis is appropriate. If the fracture site is near a joint it is often common to stabilize above and below the affected area to reduce unwanted motion at the fracture site.

Wrist Hand Orthoses (WHO): Wrist hand orthoses are utilized post-operatively as well as with conservative treatment of carpal, phalangeal, and distal ulnar and radial fractures.

Radial/Ulnar Fracture Orthoses

• Forearm Fractures - Mid-shaft Radial/Ulnar Fractures: This type of orthosis is appropriate for fractures of the forearm (ulna and radius). (Fig.1)



• Distal Radial/Ulnar Fracture: If the fracture or injury is close to the hand, it may be necessary to also immobilize the wrist. This helps reduce unwanted motion and irritation that could cause a delay in the healing process. (Fig.2)



• Proximal Radial/Ulnar Fracture: If the fracture site is close to the elbow, it may be necessary to immobilize the elbow joint. This helps reduce unwanted motion that may cause a delay in the healing process.

Humeral Fracture Orthoses (Fig.3-4)

• Mid-shaft Humeral Fracture: This type of orthosis is appropriate for fractures of the upper arm. It may have a shoulder cap extension for additional suspension.
  
• Distal Humeral Fracture: If the fracture site is near the elbow, it may be necessary to incorporate an elbow joint to avoid any unwanted motion or irritation at the site of injury.