At Dunbar Medical, we can offer you a comprehensive selection of orthopedic braces and supports.
Orthopedic braces and supports provide protection for injured joints or soft tissues. They will also help to realign and correct the relative positions of bones and/or soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, muscles, etc) during the recovery period. This ensures a complete return to full health and normal use of the injured body part.
In general, braces can be classified based on their fit, purpose and the body part for which they are designed. Where fit is concerned, a brace may be either off the shelf or custom made. Off the shelf supports come in predetermined sizes (small, medium, etc), are ready to use right after purchase and are generally less expensive than custom made designs. The braces and supports on this site are all of the off the shelf variety.
Custom made braces are designed for specific individuals. Before construction of the brace, a manufacturer representative or orthopedic technician will carry out a fitting procedure on the patient.
Orthopedic braces and supports may be designed for prophylactic, functional or rehabilitative purposes. Prophylactic braces are designed to prevent injury and so are used primarily by healthy individuals. Rehabilitative braces are designed for use following a surgical procedure and will immobilize the injured body part to promote proper healing. Functional supports provide support and protection for existing injuries.
Finally, braces and supports are each designed for a specific body part such as the knee, elbow, ankle, wrist, back, shoulder, etc. The bone and soft tissue structures in each area of the body are very different and the braces and supports for each area need to be designed to address the support and stabilization needs of each specific body part. Pregnant women also experience specific stresses in the hips and pelvic area, and maternity braces and supports are designed to address the specific needs that may arise during maternity.
