Orthotics

An orthosis is a medical device that is used for stabilization, relief, restraining, guidance or correction of limb or torso and industrially or manufactured by a prosthetist or orthopedic shoe technician to medical prescription.

Classification

Orthoses are classified according to their function and to the place of application. There orthoses for fixation, for example, in the form of error or deformation, are not substantially reversible. Orthotics may also be used for the correction of deformities, to the extent it is bad posture or position errors that are reversible or where extensive or at least partial functional replacement can be achieved. These include flaccid paralysis, which are usually accompanied by muscular dystrophy, and functional leg length differences. The transition from a orthosis to a prosthesis may here be blurred, because the balancing of the length difference equal to come on the replacement of a missing part of a limb.

For sports injuries orthotics are used for joint stabilization ( for example after a cruciate ligament ). Even with the common diseases osteoarthritis and osteoporosis orthoses are widely used and are recognized medical aids.

Non- reversible changes are spastic paralysis or contractures in the joints. Deposits in shoes, for example, may have a function for reclination. This means that with the weakening of the muscles, for example, in an otherwise functioning body parts a helper of respective muscle groups, thus strengthening their serves for training to the future again be fully functional.

Furthermore, there are orthotics that are used for temporary immobilization of body parts. These include, inter alia, neck braces, ankle, knee, wrist and Fingerorthesen. Others have to relieve the task, such as deposits, supporting apparatus including among Perthes disease and other degenerative diseases and various types of corsets. Orthopaedic Corsets are referred to as Hull and Back braces. One can distinguish between passive and active spinal orthoses. Passive spinal orthoses are called supporting corset, which have the task of relief, support and bedding predominantly with pain patients and patients with unstable spinal priority. The active Back braces should encourage the active correction of static disorders of the spine such as scoliosis, kyphosis, Scheuermann's disease, hyperlordosis and osteoporosis. This is most effective in steering growth in children and adolescents. But even adults can achieve with active spinal orthoses improve posture and pain relief for spine problems. Passive support corsets are indeed convenient, but can cause a weakening of the back muscles and thus a certain dependence. Some spinal orthoses are used for stretching (extension), erection of the spine ( reclination ) or their untwisting = derotation (eg derotating trunk orthosis according to Dr. Chêneau and Dr. Rigo against scoliosis). Likewise, orthotic devices for immobilization of the lower leg are used, for example, after surgical treatment or conservative treatment of Achilles tendon rupture. With hard shell models serve special insert wedges the successive reduction of the initial equinus.

Mostly due to the use of orthotics with correction function on the application of the "three forces " principle (two approach the main points and an oppositely -acting pressure point). For example, at night splints to correct deformities of the knee joint in infants makes use of the advantage, because the prospects are best due to the growth on the correction of the deformity.