Post by Lαrα on Apr 29, 2014 2:56:05 GMT -8
Why are braces needed:
With a Spinal Cord Injury nerves become damaged which supply muscles below the injury level. This then causes difficulties with walking due to reduced muscle power/weakness and spasticity.
What do Braces do:
Protecting weak joints
preventing knee hyperextension (backward stretching of the knee)
preventing contracture (loss of range of joint movement) by keeping your joints in the correct alignment as you put weight on them during walking.
Reducing the risk of falling by helping to keep your knee straight as you put weight on your leg and to keep your toes up off the ground as you take a step.
Increasing your walking speed and how long you are able to walk.
The picture below shows Ankle-Foot-Orthosis (AFOS)
Types of braces:
Ankle-foot-orthosis (AFO) - worn on the lower leg to support the ankle and foot.
Knee-ankle-foot-orthosis (KAFO) - worn up to the thigh to support the knee, ankle, and foot.
Hip-knee-ankle-foot-orthosis (HKAFO) - worn up to the hip to support the entire leg.
Floor reaction orthosis- worn over the knee and lower leg for people with a knee that buckles.
Supra-malleolar orthosis (SMO) - worn just around the ankle and part of the foot for people who tend to roll their ankles.
Braces are made from carbon fibre, plastic or plastic and metal. Some are pre made or they may be custom made by an orthotist (health care provider who specializes in braces) to fit you.
Some newer ankle-foot-orthosis designs, such as the "lateral strut" braces, try to fit more people with a light-weight, strong, and more open pre-made shape.
We have a post on the forum which has a video of what is involved in a fitting for braces, take a look its very interesting 
Inspired Thread on AFO Fitting
Please note:
Be sure to keep getting that braces still fit correctly over time..and that you are still fitted with the correct device if your walking improves.
Check for pressure sores: Check your skin before you put the brace on and after you take it off, look out for reddened areas on your skin or open wounds.
If the brace has caused a pressure sore, do not wear it again until your therapist or orthotist can modify it for you and get a medical practitioner to look at the sore.
Source
