Whether one has had surgery, been in an accident or suffered from a paralyzing disease, a doctor may suggest a leg brace to help torn muscles, bones and ligaments to heal. Every type of leg brace is designed to offer weight bearing support or joint stability, whether it's for the knee or ankle joint, sometimes both. Leg braces do not actually "hold" a person up, but rather serve to keep certain weak joints straight so that the wearers own bone structure supports his or her weight.
The main function of leg brace is to restrict movement, reduce weight bearing forces, aid rehabilitation, correct the shape and reduce pain. It is mainly used by people who are experiencing knee joint problems such as arthritis and osteoarthritis to assist in relieving the painful symptoms of these diseases. It is also used by athletes to support their knees when training or playing to help reduce the risk of injuries. It can also be employed by people who are getting well from injuries to help immobilize the knee so that it can repair itself properly.
They are made from various types of materials-plastic, elastic, metal, or a combination of similar materials. The thickness and design of the leg brace depends on what purpose it needs to serve. Different models of a leg braces might use nylon straps, Velcro straps or other types of lacing or fastening materials.
Usually they are designed to be worn with a shoe, but in some cases, a leg brace can have a metal fixture or thick plastic support that reaches under the shoe to add stability and support for both knee and ankle joints. A leg brace that is worn below the knee is generally designed to support weight-bearing movement to the tissues and muscles of the lower leg foot.
A weak ankle which tends to "roll" inward or outward, or to not lift the front of the foot sufficiently for walking, can often be helped by a short, below-the-knee brace. And a weak knee, that either bends backward or forward as soon as weight is applied, or which cannot support any weight at all, often will be helped considerably by a full-leg brace. The brace keeps the leg straight when walking and in many cases frees the user from having to use a cane for support or from holding the weak leg with one hand for every step.
A person whose legs turn in or out due to weak hip muscles may need to have the braces lengthened to connect to a special belt above the hip. The belt forces the braces (and legs) to align properly. On the other hand,if lower back muscles are too weak to provide any help at all in keeping the body upright may need to have the leg braces extended to chest level and attached to a metal-reinforced leather corset. A lockable hinge at the hip keeps the torso straight during walking, but releases for sitting.
The main function of leg brace is to restrict movement, reduce weight bearing forces, aid rehabilitation, correct the shape and reduce pain. It is mainly used by people who are experiencing knee joint problems such as arthritis and osteoarthritis to assist in relieving the painful symptoms of these diseases. It is also used by athletes to support their knees when training or playing to help reduce the risk of injuries. It can also be employed by people who are getting well from injuries to help immobilize the knee so that it can repair itself properly.
They are made from various types of materials-plastic, elastic, metal, or a combination of similar materials. The thickness and design of the leg brace depends on what purpose it needs to serve. Different models of a leg braces might use nylon straps, Velcro straps or other types of lacing or fastening materials.
Usually they are designed to be worn with a shoe, but in some cases, a leg brace can have a metal fixture or thick plastic support that reaches under the shoe to add stability and support for both knee and ankle joints. A leg brace that is worn below the knee is generally designed to support weight-bearing movement to the tissues and muscles of the lower leg foot.
A weak ankle which tends to "roll" inward or outward, or to not lift the front of the foot sufficiently for walking, can often be helped by a short, below-the-knee brace. And a weak knee, that either bends backward or forward as soon as weight is applied, or which cannot support any weight at all, often will be helped considerably by a full-leg brace. The brace keeps the leg straight when walking and in many cases frees the user from having to use a cane for support or from holding the weak leg with one hand for every step.
A person whose legs turn in or out due to weak hip muscles may need to have the braces lengthened to connect to a special belt above the hip. The belt forces the braces (and legs) to align properly. On the other hand,if lower back muscles are too weak to provide any help at all in keeping the body upright may need to have the leg braces extended to chest level and attached to a metal-reinforced leather corset. A lockable hinge at the hip keeps the torso straight during walking, but releases for sitting.