An injury to the knee is very serious as it can be completely debilitating. In certain cases, a doctor may recommend a form of orthotic brace be worn to help heal and to lessen any further damage that may occur. Here are a few different types of Orthotics Knee in Jacksonville FL.
1. Sleeves are braces made from Neoprene that slide over the leg and surround the knee. It may include either a form of padding over the kneecap or an open space. They are typically used to provide compression and warmth in cases of pain to the patellofemoral region. While knee sleeves provide swelling reduction in the event of injury, they do not offer any additional support.
2. Knee pads may be combined with sleeves to provide padding to the knee cap or they may be standalone hard shells that are strapped around the leg to cover the entire kneecap area. As with sleeves, they do not provide additional support, but they do offer protection from the dangers of direct blows to the kneecap in activities where this may be common, such as skateboarding or volleyball.
3. A PTO brace, otherwise known as a Patellar Tracking Orthosis brace, is used to limit the movement of the kneecap in instances where dislocation is imminent. They consist of a sleeve with an opening and straps to hold it to the leg. Some variations also include hinges to aid in movement. Many patients report that PTO braces reduce the pain that they feel from the knee injury.
4. A hinged knee brace offers the ultimate in functional stability. Hinged bars are aligned on either side of the knee to prevent injury most commonly found in a sports setting. They work by supporting the ligaments and are commonly worn by participants in contact sports.
For more information on Orthotics in Jacksonville FL, Visit First Coast Foot Clinic to make an appointment for a consultation to determine which form of orthotics will be best suited to the current situation being faced. Trained specialists are always on staff to answer any questions and to offer advice on best practices in regards to the everyday use of orthotics.
