Specialized Orthotic Services at Lawall
Lower Extremity Orthotics
Lower extremity orthotic devices are designed to assist in improving the muscular or skeletal structure of the legs, ankles, knees, and feet. There are numerous issues that can cause problems in the lower part of the body, and finding the right orthosis is important. We offer numerous different types of devices for the lower extremity, and our practitioners are experts in determining which is right for you, fitting you for it, and making sure you get the results you need from it.
If you need a lower extremity orthotic device, here are some of the options we could provide:
AFOs
An ankle-foot orthosis device, also called an AFO, is the most common type of orthotic device used today. They’re used to control the motion and the position of the foot and ankle and can help correct deformities, support weakness, and more. We offer plastic AFOs as well as metal, carbon and hybrid AFO options.
CARBON FIBER
Carbon fiber- Carbon AFOs are a great solution for many patient populations. Carbon braces can be advantageous because they are very light weight and can provide energy return during the gait cycle.
FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL SIMULATION
(FES) Systems like the Walk-Aide can be used for patients with an Upper Motor Neuron Injury, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke, Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury, Cerebral Palsy, and Traumatic Brain Injury. It works by stimulating the common peroneal nerve to lift the foot. FES systems have a calf cuff and eliminate the need for an orthosis to fit into a shoe.
KNEE BRACE
A knee brace is used for a variety of reasons ranging from post-surgery care to injury correction or prevention There are numerous types of braces, and our experts can help you get fitted for the one that is right for you.
KAFO
The knee-ankle-foot orthosis helps correct the motion in the knee, ankle, and foot. Several issues could be corrected with this device, and it may stop or limit the motion of a particular limb, or assist it.
STANCE CONTROL
Stance Control Orthoses are exciting because the enable patients who typically would need to walk with a locked knee for stability to bend their knee during swing phase and lock their knee in stance. There are various options for stance control orthosis depending on a patients presentation.
C BRACE
Stance and Swing Control Orthosis system. It uses microprocessor technology to hydraulically control stance and swing phase. Lawall is fortunate to have practitioners qualified and trained to provide this technology.
HKAFO
Hip Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis are used to when there is a need to control the hip in addition to the knee. They are typically metal but there are hybrid options that incorporate plastic and metal components.
RECIPROCATING GAIT ORTHOSIS
RGOS- were initially developed to help children with spina bifida but are now also being used for some individuals with a spinal cord injury. This orthosis is designed to initiate hip flexion to move one leg forward into swing while the other limb is weight bearing through a posterior cabling system.
Spinal Orthotic Devices
Spinal orthotics are one of the most common and most important types of devices used in the field. Pain, fractures, and scoliosis, are just some of the issues that can be helped through the use of different spinal orthotic devices. There are numerous spinal devices available both custom and off the shelf. Our skilled practitioners will begin your treatment with a complete evaluation to determine which type of device is right for you.
When using a spinal orthosis the proper fit is vital in the success of these devices. No matter the situation, our team of professionals will take the time to ensure that the right spinal support device is used in your recovery.
Once they’ve made this determination and consulted with your care team, the next step will be to measure you for the appropriate device. We will also explain how to use and care for the device. Each spinal orthosis is different, with different designs and different goals. Here are some of the options you may be fitted for:
LSO
A Lumbar Supporting Orthotic is designed to help provide support to the lumbar region of the spine or lower back. It’s often used for pain relief as well as for stabilization after a surgical procedure. Injured ligaments, herniated discs, and degenerative diseases are all issues where a LSO may be helpful.
TLSO
The thoracolumbar sacral orthosis brace, or TLSO for short, is larger than the LSO and encompasses the entire back instead of just the lumbar region. It’s used to help patients recover from injuries, heal following surgery, help correct scoliosis, and more. There are two types of TLSO braces – rigid and semi-rigid. The rigid version completely restricts movement, while a semi-rigid will allow some flexibility to take place.
CTLSO
The Cervical-Thorasic-Lumbar-Sacral Orthosis is usually used in the “Minerva Brace” design. A Minerva helps to stabilize the neck and back after trauma, surgery, and other similar situations. It uses four separate pieces including a head, chin, front, and back piece to maximize stability.
CERVICAL COLLAR
The cervical collar is used by emergency personnel following accidents, but is also implemented on a regular basis by orthotic professionals. The collar supports a neck and head and restricts movement in the neck. Turning, raising, or lowering the head is difficult or impossible with this brace, the brace is used to prevent further damage to the neck.
Upper Extremity Orthotic Services
Degenerative disease, birth defects, injuries, and surgeries can all lead to things like pain or discomfort, muscle weakness, a decrease in joint range of motion, and more. Orthotics can help improve mobility, reduce pain, and ensure that your body heals properly following surgery. Upper extremity orthotics addresses issues with the wrists, elbows, shoulders, and more.
Our team of orthotic specialists is experienced at helping patients deal with a wide range of issues. Whether you’ve been injured, gone through surgery, or had some other type of upper extremity issue, our professional practitioners will help. They will spend the time to make sure you get the right device for your situation, and will help you throughout your recovery. We begin by determining which type of upper extremity orthotic device is right for you. We offer everything from simple resting hand splints to the most advanced devices like power driven hinges, which utilize a motor to mobilize your joint. For example, some of the upper orthotic devices devices we offer include:
WRIST AND HAND SPLINTS
Wrist Cock Up Splints – Wrist injuries often require immobilization, and the cock-up wrist splint is one of the best options in these cases. It holds the wrist in a functional position, giving it time to heal itself.
Resting Hand Splints – Resting hand splints help control issues with the wrist, hand, or thumb by treating mild to moderate levels of flexion contractures. They’ll need to be worn consistently, and a proper fit is important.
POST OP ELBOW
These braces are used to help maintain the proper positioning of the elbow following surgery. They’re an important part of the recovery process. They allow the amount of motion the elbow is permitted to be controlled as the joint heals.
SHOULDER ABDUCTION SPLINTS
This is yet another type of device that is used to help patients recover from major shoulder surgery. This type of splint can be as simple a cushion that the arm rests on, making it more comfortable to keep the arm in the proper spot during recovery. Or as involved as an “airplane splint,” which holds the shoulder at a 90 degree angle. This type of splint typically comes with a joint that will allow the position of the shoulder to be adjusted throughout the healing process.
