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A Guide To Pediatric Orthopedic Bracing

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harry kane925
A Guide To Pediatric Orthopedic Bracing

Pediatric orthopedic bracing is used to treat musculoskeletal issues in children. Some of the most common issues like Blount’s knees, knock knees, clubfoot, bunions, scoliosis etc can be treated with the help of pediatric orthopedic bracing in Palm Gardens. A pediatric orthotist has specialized experience in scanning and evaluating the child’s condition and providing a customized orthopedic cast to correct the deformities. Also, they are skilled in understanding the development phases of a child and curate a treatment plan with the right type of bracing to improve the condition as the child reaches their full development. This guide will give you some useful insights about orthopedic bracing so that you can help your child manage their condition with ease and correct it quickly.

 

What Is Orthotic Bracing?

Orthotic bracing uses orthopedic braces that are required to be worn by a child to prevent or improve a deformity, align the body and improve its function, immobilize injured areas, manage and alleviate pain or to protect a joint. Although prefabricated orthotics are available in the market, an orthotist usually suggests custom-fitted bracing for the kids. Pediatric orthotics are different from adult orthotics as they are designed keeping the development of a child in mind. Initially, the bracing may be used to provide some stability and as the child grows, the orthotics may be re-designed a couple of times based on the requirements.

 

What Conditions Require Bracing?

Pediatric orthotics come in different ranges from shoe inserts to knee-high braces. These orthotics can help a child correct different conditions:

 

  • Flat feet
  • Pigeon toes
  • Bow legs
  • Leg weaknesses
  • Poor balance
  • Uneven leg lengths
  • Foot pronation
  • Foot supination
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Leg and foot spasticity
  • Foot or ankle mal-alignment
  • Tibial torsion
  • Severe metatarsus adductus

 

How Does A Pediatric Lower Extremity Orthotic Work?

Lower extremity orthotics are designed with the functional needs of the children in mind. These orthotic bracings are designs with a 3-point force system in mind as well as the ground reactions. Some conditions like knees, hips or tibial torsion also require the child to wear metal uprights or torsion cables with a waistband or hip band or a belt with the elastic twister. This type of bracing provides stability and thus controls the movement of the lower extremities. These braces do not restrict the range of motion for different activities or cause any complications. 

 

Who Provides Pediatric Orthoses?

Orthotists with national board-certified degrees and licenses and formal education in biomechanics and material sciences can design the orthotics. An orthotist will assess your child’s condition and design the right orthotics for your child. Some physiotherapists are also trained in the functionality of the orthoses and assist with the measurement and fittings of the braces. You can also visit an orthotic and prosthetic center in Stuart to get the right bracing for your child.

 

What Are The Types Of Pediatric Bracing?

Two types of orthotic bracing are commonly used for children:

 

Pediatric KAFO Braces

This type of bracing is specifically used for very young patients and requires treatment for conditions like Rickets, Blount’s Disease, Knocked Knees, Bow-legs, and other skeletal misalignments. This type of bracing with its dynamic joint system allows for a sequential correction of the condition and also accommodates growth. This type of bracing also produces a dynamic bending moment to promote four-point correction through the full range of knee movement. This type of bracing is used for the treatment of the following conditions:

 

  • Blount’s Disease, knocked knee, bow-legs, rickets
  • Tibia vara and genu varum treatment
  • Infant and late-onset Blount’s Disease
  • Physiologic bowing
  • Joint Laxity
  • Rickets
  • Post osteotomy or hemiepiphysiodesis

 

Pediatric AFO Braces

Custom-fitted AFOs are designed to correct ankle and foot anomalies in pediatric patients. AFOs come in different sizes as well as liner options and a fun thing is the brace can be customized to include your kid’s favorite color or patterns or cartoons in them. This type of orthotic bracing can help with the following conditions:

 

  • Effective ambulation
  • Enhance support and alignment to the ankle and the foot.
  • Manage dorsi-plantar flexion
  • Treat Spina Bifida
  • Muscular dystrophy
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