Bracing

• Injury Prevention: One of the primary purposes of bracing in orthopedic sports medicine is injury prevention. Athletes often subject their bodies to intense physical activities, which can predispose them to various musculoskeletal injuries. Braces provide additional support to vulnerable joints and muscles, reducing the risk of re-injury. For example, ankle braces are commonly used to prevent ankle sprains in sports such as basketball and soccer.
• Pain Relief: For some conditions such as osteoarthritis, braces may help with pain relief if the affected joint or compartment within a joint can be unloaded. For example, hip and knee unloaders can be used in this setting.
• Postoperative and Injury Rehabilitation: After surgical interventions or conservative treatments, athletes may need external support to facilitate healing and protect the injured area. Braces help maintain joint stability, reduce pain, and allow controlled movement during recovery.

Orthopedic braces come in various types, each tailored to address specific injuries and conditions:

• Prophylactic Braces: These braces are designed to prevent injuries and are commonly used in high-risk sports like football. They offer stability and protection to vulnerable joints.
• Functional Braces: Functional braces are prescribed after an injury has occurred. They provide support to the injured area while allowing for some degree of movement, aiding in the recovery process.
• Rehabilitative Braces: These braces are used during the rehabilitation phase. They limit motion to protect healing tissues, such as after ACL reconstruction surgery.
• Unloader Braces: Unloader braces are primarily used in the management of osteoarthritis. They offload stress from the affected joint, reducing pain and improving function.

The effectiveness of orthopedic bracing in sports medicine is well-documented. Numerous studies have shown that bracing can significantly benefit athletes by:

• Reducing the Risk of Injury: Prophylactic braces can help prevent injuries by providing support and stability to vulnerable areas, such as the ankle or knee.
• Enhancing Rehabilitation: Functional and rehabilitative braces assist in the recovery process by providing support without hindering necessary joint movement.
• Enabling Early Return to Play: Athletes recovering from injuries often use braces to safely return to sports activities as these devices offer protection and support. An example of this would be a custom ACL brace for patient who had non-operative care for an ACL injury or for those returning to sport following ACL reconstruction.
• Managing Chronic Conditions: Bracing is an essential component of managing chronic conditions like osteoarthritis, allowing individuals to maintain an active lifestyle with reduced pain.
• Improving Performance: In some cases, athletes with minor injuries or instability may wear braces to improve performance by increasing joint stability.