Braces & Supports

  • ProFlex Knee Sleeve Ergodyne 16535

    ProFlex

    ProFlex X-Large Knee Sleeve, X-Large

    Breathable, comfortable, durable and flexible for all-day wear, knee sleeve does not limit range of motion. It's made of perforated neoprene and spandex mesh. Slip it on to support your painful knee joint: It reduces pain by improving blood flow and...

    $22.41
  • AlumaFoam Finger Splint Hartmann 61340000

    AlumaFoam

    AlumaFoam Silver / White Finger Splint, Finger

    Package Count: 12. Alumafoam finger splint for broken fingers is ideal for immobilizing fractures. It also offers padded aluminum finger protection for strains, sprains, cuts, fingertip and nail bed injuries.Aluminum foam splint provides lightweight yet...

    $30.59
  • ProLite Airflow Wrist Splint BSN Medical 7589110

    ProLite Airflow

    ProLite Airflow Black Wrist Splint, for Right Hand

    Your wrist is the joint between the two bones of the lower arm (radius and ulna) and the five bones of the hand and is made up of eight carpal bones. The muscles and tendons attached to all these bones allow you to rotate your wrist, as if screwing in a...

    $27.98
  • EdemaWear Compression Stockinette Compression Dynamics B960001

    EdemaWear

    EdemaWear Compression Stockinette White, Medium

    EdemaWear® stockinet utilizes a new textile technology, Fuzzy Wale Elastic Compression (FWC), which appears to be superior to existing compression products in controlling swelling. Wales (fuzzy corduroy-like material) create a fuzzy nexus with the skin...

    $28.04
  • 3M Futuro Deluxe Thumb Stabilizer 3M Healthcare 05113119855

    3M

    3M Futuro Deluxe Black Thumb Stabilizer, for Either Hand

    The opposable thumb is one of the primary things that sets humans apart from the rest of the animal kingdom but when your thumb hurts, it's hard to think about anything else­–so slip on the Futuro Deluxe thumb stabilizer. The Futuro Deluxe thumb...

    $27.11
  • 3M Futuro Sport Deluxe Ankle Stabilizer 3M 46645ENR

    3M

    3M Futuro Sport Deluxe Ankle Stabilizer, for the Foot Adult

    The FUTURO™ Ankle Performance Stabilizer provides support to sore or injured ankles. It features a moderate-stabilizing design that provides customizable compression. The 3M™ Futuro™ Ankle Performance Stabilizer has adjustable closures for a customized...

    $23.76
  • Night Splint Darco International NS2B

    Darco International

    Night Splint, for the Foot Adult Medium

    Treat your plantar fasciitis while you sleep with a Darco pneumatic night splint. This plantar fasciitis night splint provides a gentle, sustained stretch to the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon with the easy-to-use integrated air system. Designed to...

    $56.04
  • Silipos Digit Pad Silipos 10065

    Silipos

    Silipos Digit Pad, for the Foot Small Medium

    Protect and reduce pain and discomfort associated with corns, calluses and hammertoe with Silipos' small/medium gel pads. They contain medical-grade mineral oil that releases throughout the day to help soften and moisturize rough, dry skin. This allows...

    $10.34
  • SlimLine Cast Boot Darco International SLQ1B

    SlimLine

    SlimLine Cast Boot Small

    Darco's SlimLine cast boot can be adapted to fiberglass casts, bulky compression bandages and a variety of wound-care applications, making it one of the most versatile cast shoes on the market.Square toe design acts as a protective bumper and gives the...

    $20.43
  • Darco OrthoWedge Post-Op Shoe Darco International OQ4B

    Darco

    Darco OrthoWedge Post-Op Shoe Large

    The DARCO® OrthoWedge™ is clinically proven to reduce weight bearing pressure on the forefoot which promotes faster healing after surgery, trauma or when forefoot wounds or ulcerations are present. This post-op shoe is made of durable material that has a...

    $29.83

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.