Orthotics

Biomechanical deficiencies or musculoskeletal injury can require the use of equipment or technologies that are designed to relieve patients’ pain, encourage healing, and prevent further injury. Superior Performance Center offers a wide variety of these types of materials to assist our clinicians and provide our patients with the highest quality of care and options suited for each individual person. Whether you are looking for casting, splinting, and bracing or the traditional shoe insert orthotic, Superior Performance Center can offer care through our orthotics and bracing options.

What is Orthotics?

Orthotics is a branch of medicine that deals with the provision and use of artificial devices such as splints and braces. Orthotics are used to support, immobilize, align, prevent, or correct the function of movable parts of the body. These devices can treat muscles, joints, or skeletal parts which are weak, ineffective, deformed or injured.

Why are Orthotics needed?

• Casting
  • Casts are used to immobilize orthopedic injuries after the initial swelling and inflammatory phase.  They promote healing, maintain bone alignment, diminish pain, protect the injury, and help compensate for surrounding muscular weakness. An orthopedic cast encases a limb to stabilize and hold anatomical structures, most often a broken bone (or bones), in place until healing is confirmed. Improper or prolonged application can increase the risk of complications from immobilization. Proper application technique and timely follow-up appointments are essential.
• Splinting
  • Splints are fast and easy to apply. They may be static or dynamic. Because a splint is noncircumferential, it allows for the natural swelling that occurs during the initial inflammatory phase of the injury. Splinting is the preferred method of immobilization in the acute care setting. Furthermore, a splint may be easily removed allowing for regular inspection of the injury site. Both custom-made and standard “off-the-shelf” splints are effective.
• Bracing  
  • Orthopedic braces are medical devices designed to address musculoskeletal issues; they are used to properly align, correct the position, support, stabilize, and protect certain muscles, joints, and bones as they heal from injury or trauma.
    • Examples:
      • Unloader (valgus) knee brace - osteoarthritis
      • Patellar brace - patellofemoral pain syndrome
      • Knee immobilizer - acute traumatic knee injuries/surgeries
      • Functional ankle braces - acute ankle sprains
      • Semirigid ankle braces - ankle sprain prevention
      • Neutral wrist splint - carpal tunnel syndrome
• Shoe Inserts
  • Shoe orthotics are devices designed to support and comfort feet. They can also be used to treat foot pain caused by abnormal motion. Shoe orthotics are also used to correctly align the foot for treatment of conditions such as shin splints or tendinitis.