Thousands of people depend on orthotic braces or supports to help them deal with various physical challenges. The range of conditions that may benefit from a brace or support is vast and includes temporary devices that are used for a short time as well as devices that are used across the span of a person’s life.
Some braces and supports can be purchased ready made “off-the-shelf” while others require a custom-fitting process. In every case, the decision to use a brace or support and to carefully monitor its use should be made with the assistance of a certified orthotist. Braces and supports fall into five general categories:
1: spinal (neck and back)
2: lower extremity (feet, knees, legs, hips)
3: pediatric (children between birth and age 18)
4: upper extremity (hand, wrist, arm, elbow, shoulder)
5: mastectomy (breast replacement or support)
The relationship you develop with your orthotist may be short term or long term. People often use a brace or support while they are waiting for or recovering from surgery on the neck, back or other area of the body. Braces and supports are also used during the months of recovery that follow a serious injury such as those sustained in car accidents or on-the-job. Braces and supports are also used for minor injuries such as sprained ankles or bone fractures. Other situations such as chronic back pain, plantar fasciitis, diabetes, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injury often require that a support and/or brace be used for a lifetime. People who will be working with an orthotist over the course of many years will be particularly concerned about finding a practitioner they will be comfortable with for the long term.
Often people are in the position of seeking orthotic care when they are experiencing physical discomfort or pain. Sometimes they are struggling to cope with a serious or degenerative illness or permanent injury. Parents may be trying to determine the best course of action for helping their child who has cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or other serious condition. Any of these circumstances are difficult for patients and families to deal with, and the added challenge of finding the right orthotic provider can seem difficult. At Hanger you will find experienced orthotic specialists who understand your situation and want to help improve it. In addition to the advice and support you receive from your orthotist, we can connect you with other people who have faced the same type of challenge. Our patients tell us that sharing experiences, emotions, and advice person-to-person is extremely helpful and hopeful.