Bracing & Orthotics Specialist

What are bracing and orthotics?

Bracing and orthotics are one of the many services available at Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. The team takes a patient-centered approach to care and uses a variety of treatments and therapies that help you get back to doing the things you love.

Bracing

With bracing, the team uses orthopedic appliances to support the weight of your body, immobilize and protect joints, reduce pain, prevent injury, or correct a deformity. Bracing may protect your wrist, hand, ankles, knees, or back.

Orthotics

Orthotics are devices that treat foot and ankle conditions. Orthotics include padding you place in your shoes to prevent the formation of corns or calluses, as well as shoe inserts that improve foot support and ankle alignment to alleviate pain. 

Who needs bracing and orthotics?

Many musculoskeletal conditions benefit from bracing or orthotics. 

You may benefit from bracing for:

• Osteoarthritis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Sports injury
• Joint deformity
• Athletic performance

Orthopedic bracing aims to improve function, prevent the progression of disease, and reduce pain. The team may recommend bracing to immobilize an unstable joint, reduce the load on the joint to alleviate pain, or modify the range of motion.

As noted, you may need orthotics to support a foot or ankle problem, such as:

• Ankle sprain
• Flatfoot
• Bunions
• Hammertoe
• Plantar fasciitis
• Runners’ painful knee

Like bracing, orthotics aim to improve the function of your feet and ankles, prevent your condition from getting worse, and alleviate pain. 

What happens during a bracing or orthotics consultation?

When you come in to see the experts at Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for a bracing or orthotics consultation, you can expect a patient-focused exam. 

To fully understand your needs, your provider asks detailed questions about your concerns and goals. They also review your medical history and perform a physical exam. 

Your provider may also request diagnostic imaging of the body part that needs a brace or orthotic to better understand the structure of the joint to get you the right device. 

For bracing, you meet with the athletic trainers at Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, who assist with brace selection and fitting. They currently offer limited in-house orthotics but can help with a referral for complex orthotic needs.

Once you get your brace or orthotic, the team schedules regular follow-up appointments to monitor fit, function, and symptoms so they can adjust your device as needed. 

Bracing and orthotics may alleviate pain, support healing, or prevent injury. Call Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, or request an appointment online to schedule your bracing or orthotics consultation today.