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1. Purpose and Function of Bracing

Bracing serves various functions in orthopaedic management, addressing acute injuries, chronic
musculoskeletal conditions, and post-surgical recovery. The primary objectives of orthopaedic
bracing include:

• Immobilization: Prevents unwanted movement that could disrupt healing, commonly used for
fractures, post-surgical stabilization, and ligament repairs.
• Support and Stability: Provides mechanical reinforcement to weakened joints or muscles,
ensuring alignment and load distribution.
• Pain Reduction: Helps alleviate discomfort by reducing joint strain, redistributing forces, and
controlling motion.
• Correction of Deformities: Used in cases such as scoliosis or clubfoot to gradually realign
musculoskeletal structures.
• Facilitation of Healing: Enhances the body’s natural recovery process by limiting mechanical
stress on affected areas.
• Proprioceptive Feedback: Some braces improve body awareness, aiding neuromuscular control
and preventing reinjury in active individuals.

Orthopaedic technologists must ensure that braces fit properly, provide the necessary level of
restriction or support, and do not cause undue discomfort or complications such as pressure
sores, nerve compression, or circulatory issues. Braces and splints serve multiple functions in
orthopaedic care, including:

• Immobilization – Preventing movement in fractures, ligament injuries, or post-surgical cases.
• Support and Stability – Reinforcing weakened joints or muscles to prevent further injury.
• Pain Relief – Reducing strain on joints and muscles to alleviate discomfort.
• Correction of Deformities – Assisting in the correction of musculoskeletal abnormalities, such
as scoliosis.
• Facilitation of Healing – Aiding in the recovery process by limiting motion and stress on
affected structures.

2. Categories of Braces

Braces are categorized based on their function and clinical application. Different types of braces
are designed to address specific orthopaedic conditions, ranging from injury prevention to
rehabilitation.

• Prophylactic Braces:
o Designed primarily for injury prevention, commonly used in sports medicine.
o Example: Knee braces for athletes prone to ligament injuries (e.g., ACL braces in football
players).
• Rehabilitative Braces:
o Used post-surgically or post-injury to protect and control joint movement during
healing.
o Example: Hinged knee braces after ACL reconstruction.