High Park Physiotherapy, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Centre has over 45 years of experience in prescribing and fitting both patient ready and custom made braces. We have the knowledge and experience to help you get going! From the elite athlete to the weekend gardener, we can help you get back to doing what you love.
We carry only the highest quality braces that undergo strict Orthopaedic testing and laboratory standards.
Getting started - an accurate diagnosis.
At High Park Physiotherapy, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Centre, our experts provide an accurate diagnosis, coupled with a properly prescribed and fitted brace to allow a healthier, active, and complete recovery. Our highly trained team including Athletic Therapists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Osteopaths, Kinesiologists and Physicians, work together to routinely prescribe and fit braces for patients ranging from the elite athlete itching to get back into action, to the weekend gardener anxious to return to the garden. The support and protection of a properly prescribed brace can help provide the confidence to return you to your desired activity, happily and safely.
Do I need a brace?
Your Physiotherapist or Physician may recommend that you use a brace due to an injury, before and/or after surgery, or due to deterioration in joints because of overuse, or age. You may also need to replace an older brace due to body or lifestyle changes. An accurate diagnosis is a vital first step to selecting the best brace for your purposes, as well as determining when and for how long the brace should be worn for maximum benefit.
For rehabilitation, a well designed brace can be extremely useful. For example, following surgery, the knee joint may be temporarily unstable. The ligaments, muscles, and bones will need to heal, and as a result you may need an external support or brace. Moreover, during your physiotherapy and active rehabilitation process, if you will be performing physical activities soon after knee surgery, a knee brace can help you feel more stable and protect your knee from re-injury.
In sports, such as football and hockey, where large forces and pressures are exerted on the knee, a knee brace can prevent injury by absorbing some of the force that otherwise may cause severe injury to the knee.
What does a brace do; how does it help?
Braces help increase stability and can off-load pressure. Following injury, for example a knee injury, a custom fitted brace will help support the knee and keep it in appropriate alignment. The brace also helps stabilize the knee joint and can be set to restrict excessive bending, twisting, and destructive side to side, or front to back movements that will continue to aggravate an already injured knee.
What types of braces are available?
Braces, both patient ready and custom-made are available for many joints in the body, including the following which are commonly used:
- Knee Braces (including ACL and post-op braces)
- Osteo Arthritic Braces
- Post–op Braces
- Ankle Braces
- Back Braces
- Wrist Braces (including carpal tunnel braces)
- Shoulder Stabilizers
- Drop Foot Braces
- Walking Cast or Air Casts (for walking)
Ligament Tear and Surgery
Many patients who have torn ligaments and have had surgery, such as an ACL repair, are prescribed a custom made brace which helps protect the joint from any further damage, and provides increased stability. Many athletes, both elite and recreational, are able to return to full activities securely and confidently, including sports.
More reasons why braces are useful - the athlete
Braces are often used for protection purposes. If you play intense contact sports, such as football, protective knee braces can be extremely helpful in preventing injury. For instance, football players, motocross riders and hockey players all wear braces for protection and increased support. We have helped basketball players, golfers, tennis players, cyclists and many other athletes, get back to and stay in their sport, safely and confidently.
What is a Walking Cast or Air Cast ?
Air casts are commonly used for stress fractures requiring immobilization and other conditions that require unloading of pressure. Patients who suffer from the following conditions can greatly benefit from a walking cast or air cast:
- Diabetic Ulcers (diabetic walking boot)
- Acute sprains and strains
- Non-displaced fractures
- Stress fractures
Our bracing team is dedicated to the science of Orthopaedic Bracing and will ensure you are professionally fitted with the correct, well designed brace! |
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