Information On Over The Counter Orthotics

By Raymond Green


The field of medicine that deals with the design, production, and application of orthoses is referred to as orthotics. Orthosis is any device that is installed externally on the body to modify the structural and functional characteristics of the skeletal system. The practitioners in this field are called orthotists. Over the counter orthotics is one among the branches in this field of medicine.

The functions and purposes of orthoses are many and diverse. However, in general, they function to control, immobilize, limit, and/or guide segments of the body, joints, and extremities. They can restrict or assist body organs to move in a specific direction. They can also be used to decrease the level of weight an organ is required to bear from the body. This is particularly important in rehabilitation of an organ from injury. This application is more predominant in lower limbs, which bear most of the weight from the body.

Orthotists may also apply orthoses in reducing pain a patient may be feeling due to a given condition. In body organs that may have lost shape, an orthosis may be used to return the initial shape and make movement easier. The utilization of orthoses has often made life much easier for people with certain conditions. They also promote independence and enhance mobility.

Manufacturing orthoses derives knowledge from different fields of study. Engineering, Pathophysiology, Anatomy, Physiology, and Biomechanics are examples of fields of study from which knowledge is drawn. Similarly, production involves different types of technologies including 3D printing and Plaster or Paris and machines such as CAD and CNC. Precision is very important in this field and it is why sophisticated technology and machines are used.

Production makes use of various materials. Among the most commonly used materials are carbon fiber, EVA, elastic, and metals. A single orthosis may have different parts made from different materials. Various forms of plastic are in wide use today because they have been determined to be better. The use of plastics has been boosted by the introduction of the Plaster of Paris in the production process.

One can acquire various designs of orthoses from local retailer. However, some specialized designs are not available from retailers and are specifically designed fitted by orthotists. There is variance in over the counter orthoses in many factors including material, size, method of installation, and quality among other properties. Wearing may involve sliding into the organ or attaching. Mostly over the counter orthoses are used to provide protection against injury.

Classification of orthoses is done according to the anatomical joints they contain. Some major examples are ankle and foot, thoracolumbosacral, arm, knee-ankle-foot, ankle-foot, clavicular and shoulder, arm, forearm-wrist, hand, forearm-wrist-thumb, elbow, and upper extremity orthoses. The use of International Standard terminology is encouraged in describing orthoses in order to remove barriers to interpretation of research findings.

Orthoses are used by people with different medical conditions. Head injury, fractures, sports injury, strokes, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy are among the conditions for which the devices may be used. Athletes often use orthoses in optimizing performance in sports.




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