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Neurological Bracing

Common Conditions treated with neurological bracing:

  1. Cerebrovascular Accidents (CVA):

Cerebrovascular Accidents is the medical term used for a stroke. It results when the is an absence of blood flow to a part of the brain either due to bleed or a blockage of the blood vessel supplying this area.

There are two types of Cerebrovascular Accidents

Ischemic stroke
Hemorrhagic stroke

  • Ischemic Stroke:

An ischemic stroke is diagnosed when there is a blockage in the blood vessel, usually by a blood clot, preventing blood and oxygen to enter a specific part of the brain. This is the most common cause when dealing with a Cerebrovascular Accident.

  • Hemorrhagic stroke:

This is described when there is a rupture in any part of the blood vessels supplying the brain, preventing blood and oxygen to entre.

Common neurological fallout seen with CVA:

If the stroke occurred on the left side of the brain, the right side of the body would be affected and vice versa. Typically, muscle strength and active joint range of movement is affected in the lower limb and quite often the upper extremity is also involved, this is then classified as Hemiplegia/ Hemiparesis.   

Further evaluation needs to be done to determine the treatment plan according to your specific needs and requirements to aid during the rehabilitation and provide stability when needed.

  1. Spinal Cord Injuries:

Spinal cord injuries are defined as damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerve at the end of the spinal canal.

Depending on the level the of the spinal cord injury, as well as the severity of the damage, different neurological fallout will be suspected.

Further evaluation needs to be done to determine the treatment plan according to your specific needs and requirements to aid during the rehabilitation and provide stability when needed.

Orthotic prescription can be a combination of maintaining joint range of movement (ROM), controlling spasticity as well as providing addition support during mobilization.

  1. Cerebral Palsy (CP).

Cerebral Palsy are defined as a group of disorders where muscle tone, movement and posture are affected. This usually occurs when there is damage to the developing, immature brain and may even be before birth.

CP causes impaired movement of the extremities such as, spasticity of the trunk and limbs, involuntary movements, exaggerated reflexes, floppy limbs, and trunk as well as unsteady walking. In some cases, a combination of the above mentioned can be seen.

It is important to have a treatment plan in place set out by the Doctor, Physiotherapist as well as the orthotist so that a multi-disciplinary approach can be followed to allow for the best possible outcome.

A full evaluation is required to determine what assistive devices and orthotic treatment will be required. The orthotic treatment will be depended on the severity of the condition and the limbs involved. Orthotic prescription is the decided between whether supportive, corrective or a combination of the two is requires aiding in the rehabilitation.

Neurological bracing

Neuro orthotics can be either off the shelf (OTS), or custom-made orthotic devices designed to assist the user improve or gain independence in performing activities of daily living. The orthotic device is prescribed to address one or several of the following: manage tone, address alignment issues and to provide a stable base of support during standing and or walking.

In acute cases like stroke management, the impact of the long-term neurological fallout, the type of long and short treatment and duration of recovery is often difficult to determine. Each case needs to be assessed and re assessed as the individual goes through the rehabilitation process.

Bracing prescription is dependent on the muscle function and other limitations of the involved limb. A full assessment needs to be performed to determine the orthotic prescription. As orthotists we work with a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to achieve the best possible rehabilitation outcome, while taking into consideration each individual and their families specific needs.

At Chin and Partners, we have the know how to assess, measure, fabricate and fit the correct neurological orthosis to meet the patient’s needs.

Ankle-Foot-Orthosis (AFO)

Depending on the treatment objective discussed with your doctor and physiotherapist, a device is specifically selected to address your needs. The complexity of the treatment required will determine whether a custom or off the shelf (OTS) orthosis needs to be used do aid in mobility.

If we are dealing with a condition where spasticity, increased tone, ankle instability or diabetes is present, generally a custom AFO will be manufactured

Our Custom AFO’s range from:

  • Plastic AFO’s:
    • Standard
    • With joints
    • Double system
    • Double system with joints
  • Carbon Fibre AFO’s:
    • Standard
    • With joints
    • Double system
    • Double system with joints

The double system AFO’s consists of Part A; supra-malleolar orthosis (SMO) that fits into part B; rigid AFO shell to provide maximum stability as well as control spasticity. A three-ring principle and sensomotoric foot plate can be incorporated into the SMO section of the orthosis.

In some cases, AFO’s can aid in knee stability, but depending on the manual muscle testing (MMT) a KAFO may be required.

Knee-Ankle-Foot-Orthosis (KAFO)

Knee-Ankle-Foot-Orthosis (KAFO) has progressed in technology throughout the past couple of years with more complexed joints from suppliers such as Ottobock, Fior & Gentz, Becker etc. They are also made from a durable plastic or carbon fibre with aluminium or stainless-steel joints which make them strong, durable, and lightweight. They also follow the contour of the leg, allowing for a more cosmetic appealing fit. 

Both ankle and knee joints can be provided to ensure a more natural biomechanical gait pattern. Depending on the condition, additional support such as stance control, manual locking and free-swinging joints can be incorporated and ensure that your requirements are met to improve daily function.

Contact us to see how we can help