Orthopaedic Supports

Treatment with Orthopaedic Supports

Orthopaedic supports are small, useful and helpful in everyday life. They can help with pain and immobility in the hands, elbows, back, knees or ankles. They are used in orthopaedics to encourage, restore or support movement in the body, and are used in the treatment and prophylaxis (i.e. prevention) of injuries, medical conditions and damage affecting the body's motor system.

In this way, these supports exercise mechanical action on the joints, muscles and ligaments, and support the motor functions in the body while not limiting movement in those who are affected. Originally, dressings were wrapped around the affected area to achieve compression and to counteract the pain through pressure. Today, knitted supports with extensive compression are used in many cases. Because of their breathable materials, they are more bearable and do not need to be re-dressed over and over again.

How Orthopaedic Supports work

Orthopaedic supports tightly surround the affected body parts. They are positioned directly on the surface of the skin and compress the underlying tissue. However, because orthopaedic supports fit tightly, crucial parts of these must be made from elastic or semi-elastic material. They can also stimulate blood flow in the affected areas (i.e. have a rheological effect) on the one hand and improve muscular movement of joints on the other (i.e. have a proprioceptive effect). Pads within the orthopaedic supports are used to achieve this, to increase the surface area that pressure can be applied to, and to have an additional massaging effect. The mobility of the joint therefore remains the same, while the mechanical function that has been damaged is stabilised. This brings both security and relief.

A man wears an orthopaedic support. — Orthopaedic supports - the little helpers for an active daily life.

Dynamics Plus Knee Supports

In addition to the aforementioned proprioceptive and rheological effects, in the case of a knee support, there is a silicone ring underneath the kneecap to provide additional protection. This silicone also massages the joint area during movement, which encourages circulation and a quick reduction in swelling. An aid such as the Dynamics Plus knee support can be used if the meniscus (cartilage between the thigh bone and shin bone) is damaged, for example. It can be applied either directly or after surgery in order to stabilise movement in the knee and to prevent further injury.

Lumbar supports for spinal disc problems

Problems with spinal discs occur when weight is unevenly distributed in the spinal vertebrae. This puts pressure on the spinal discs in the spaces between these vertebrae, which act like buffers. In this case, a lumbar support can help to provide relief to the spinal discs by changing the static equilibrium; the pelvis is thereby straightened and the muscles are then relaxed. This is achieved on the one hand by pads which specifically target the affected areas and on the other hand by the counter-pressure which the lumbar support exerts on the stomach. This counter-pressure helps to stretch out the spinal column and therefore reduce pain. In addition, a warming effect is created in the lower back, which relaxes the muscles in this area. This effect can be enhanced by the use of a gel cushion, which can be inserted into the support itself.

Ankle supports for ligament problems

Orthopaedic ankle supports are used if one or several ligaments in the ankle are injured. Two L-shaped pads are placed around the ankle on both the interior and exterior side. These help to guide and support the ankle laterally. An orthopaedic ankle support can also be applied in the case of ligament instability in order to prevent further injury. Chronic ligament insufficiency, however, means that the ligament has been repeatedly overstretched or has been torn.

Please note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

The following products can provide relief:

Dynamics Plus Knee Support

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Dynamics Plus Ankle Support

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