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Braces, Splints, and Casts
 | Braces, splints, and
casts have long been utilized by physicians to support and/or immobilize
injured areas of the body. Casts are often used to treat fractures. They can
help maintain alignment and immobilize the joints next to the broken bone.
However, they are not removable and are typically hard all the way around the
injured extremity. As a result, the space available for swelling after injury
is somewhat limited. Because of this, quite often after an acute injury, a
cast is not applied immediately afterwards, but is applied once the
swelling from the injury has decreased and/or stabilizes. |
| Splints are more
easily removed. They are used the same way as a cast to give support to the
injured area and also to immobilize the joints next to the injured area.
Typically, a splint is not hard all the way around and does allow for swelling
to occur. After a fracture, this is often the first immobilization device
applied to allow room for the expected post-injury swelling. |
| Braces differ from
splints in that they are usually used to give support while not fully
immobilizing the joint. That is, they allow joint motion, but may help to
control that motion or limit that motion so as to allow for healing and/or
participation in activities. There are many different types of braces used in
orthopedics in general and sports medicine, in particular. Some braces can be
bought over-the-counter. Others are typically given either through a
physician’s office or by prescription through a brace shop. |
| There are several
companies that make orthopedic braces. Off-the-shelf braces typically come in
several sizes and are fine for treating certain conditions (patellar
instability, for example). Custom braces require exact measurements and are then made to
specifications unique to the individual patient. An orthotist is an allied
health professional specializing in this. |
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