Braces & Supports

  • Ossur Exoform Carpal Tunnel Wrist Support Ossur 517083

    Ossur

    Ossur Exoform Black Carpal Tunnel Wrist Support, for Left Hand

    Indicated for carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.The exo-skeleton is contoured to ensure an anatomically correct fit and is designed to provide smooth controlled resistance to extreme range of motion The exo-skeleton provides radial and ulnar styled...

    $17.54
  • Visco-GEL Toe Protector Toe Protector Pedifix P82-S

    Pedifix

    Visco-GEL Toe Protector Fabric Sleeve with Mineral Oil

    Stretchable PediFix Visco-GEL toe protector relieves painful ingrown nails, corns, hammer toes and toe tips. Instantly cushions and protects corns, ingrown nails and other toe irritations. Soothing gel surrounds toe to absorb pressure and friction while...

    $13.96
  • McKesson Orthopedic Felt Roll McKesson Brand 9224

    McKesson

    McKesson Adhesive Orthopedic Felt Roll, Non-Sterile

    Felt is a firm woven cloth made of heavily napped and shrunk wool and rayon. It's tightly woven enough to withstand use in a podiatric fuction, such as between feet and footware.Adhesive felt roll Wool / Rayon

    Starting at $28.38
  • Freedom Foot Brace Alimed 6142

    Coloplast

    Freedom Foot Brace, for the Foot Adult

    Freedom 3° basic foot orthoses (BFO) are ideal for excessive pronation. The familiar top architecture of the BFO has a molded 3° heel wedge. BFO has a sturdy, long lasting cork base. Use as is for excessive pronation or glue and grind for further...

    $34.99
  • Kinesio Tex Gold FP Kinesiology Tape KMS LLC GKT15024FP

    Fabrication Enterprises

    Kinesio Tex Gold FP Water Resistant Beige Kinesiology Tape 6 per Box

    Package Count: 6. Manage pain and edema with Kinesio® Tex Gold™ FP Kinesiology Tape. This tape lightly adheres to skin, applying pressure to tissues as the tape wraps around. Its wave pattern provides enhanced technology and stimulation to the epidermis...

    $93.22
  • Strap Athletic Tape Nutricare USA LLC STRBLCT

    Strap

    STRAP Bamboo Athletic Tape, Perforated Body Tape, 1.97 in x 5.5 yd

    STRAP is a natural and breathable strapping tape made from 100% organic certified bamboo fibers. Lightweight yet strong, the tape offers maximum comfort and support. Hypoallergenic and latex- and plastic-free, STRAP tape is ideal for injury prevention...

    Starting at $19.99
  • Hartmann Co-Lastic Cohesive Bandage Hartmann

    Hartmann

    Hartmann Co-Lastic Multi-color Self-adherent Closure Cohesive Bandage

    Co-Lastic nonsterile cohesive highly elastic bandage can be used for securing splints and peripheral devices, managing edema, as a positioning aid during procedures and for a wide range of applications. Skin-friendly alternative to tape for patients with...

    $49.57
  • Premier Wrist Brace with Thumb Spica Bird & Cronin 08144562

    Premier

    Premier Black Wrist Brace with Thumb Spica, for Right Hand

    Use your fingers as your normally would while wearing Bird & Cronin's Premier wrist brace with thumb spica stabilizes, immobilizes and protects the wrist and thumb. Its removable aluminum radial stay immobilizes the MCP (metacarpophalangeal) joint and...

    $36.67

Braces & Supports

Braces and supports are simple, low-tech medical devices designed to be worn after an injury. Their purpose is to immobilize, partially immobilize, stabilize, realign, or support specific body parts, often to facilitate healing or relieve pain. In addition, braces and supports treat joint-related problems and work for some muscular or skeletal issues, such as during a fracture or muscle tear. 

What's the Difference Between a Brace and a Support?

Although many use these two terms interchangeably, braces are more rigid and should immobilize or severely limit the motion of a joint. Supports are softer and more flexible, providing stability rather than immobilization.

What Conditions Are Braces and Supports Used For?

Some of the most common conditions that can benefit from supports or braces include:
  • Sprains and strains
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the tendon in the sole)
  • De Quervain's tenosynovitis (an inflammatory condition of the thumb)
  • Tennis or golfer’s elbow
  • Runner’s knee
  • ACL or MCL injuries (injuries to the tendons in the knee)
  • Meniscus tear (an injury to the cartilage within the knee)
  • Herniated disks
  • Tendonitis
Your doctor may also prescribe a brace after orthopedic surgery or to secure fractures.

Braces and Supports for Preventing Injury

Braces and supports can also help prevent injuries, especially for athletes and seniors. Athletes are at risk for sports-related injuries such as sprains, strains, and ligament tears. Using appropriate support can reduce the risk of new injuries and the likelihood of reinjury after recovery. Lightweight wrist supports, knee supports, leg supports, and arm supports can be beneficial for athletes who want to protect themselves without restricting their movement.

Seniors are also at risk for musculoskeletal disorders, thanks in part to a lifetime of everyday wear and tear. Connective tissue weakens and loses elasticity with age, bones become more fragile, and muscles lose mass. All of this makes acute injury and repetitive use problems such as osteoarthritis more likely. When used correctly, braces and supports can help reduce the chance of injury and improve mobility for some. 

Things to Keep in Mind when Shopping for Supports or Braces

When selecting the best brace or support for your needs, there are several important points to consider:

Level of support.Some conditions may require only mild support, such as a compression sleeve, while others may call for moderate or rigid support. Some braces allow you to adjust the amount of support. Be sure to choose the correct level of support for your needs.

Size.To work properly, a supportive brace must fit snugly but not too tightly. Some braces and supports may be adjustable to fit different shapes and sizes of the body, while others may come in multiple sizes.

Material.The best support should be lightweight but durable. Too much weight or bulk can be cumbersome, and heavy materials can be hot and uncomfortable. Look for breathable materials and a low profile for the most comfortable experience.