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Caregiver University > Braces, orthotics, splints

Braces, orthotics, splints

The Best ACL Braces for Post Surgery and Active Use

The Best ACL Braces for Post Surgery and Active Use
By Megan Smith, PT, HR Director

This comparison guide evaluates the five best ACL braces for knee stabilization, recovery, and athletic performance following an ACL injury. Each product is reviewed, covering essential use cases such as post-surgical protection, ligament support, and return-to-play readiness. Featuring braces from DeRoyal, Gladiator, and Advanced Orthopaedics, the article breaks down key product specifications, use cases, and clinical value to help individuals make informed, medically sound purchasing decisions.


Which Elbow Brace Is Right for You? Comparison by Condition and Function

Which Elbow Brace Is Right for You? Comparison by Condition and Function
By Mike Price, OT, CIO/CMO

Elbow braces are essential orthopedic tools used to support recovery from injury, manage nerve pain, or prevent joint contractures in neurological conditions. This guide explores the different types of elbow braces, static, dynamic, ROM-adjustable, and nerve-protective, while providing clinically grounded use cases for each. With product-specific recommendations including braces for post-stroke recovery, cubital tunnel syndrome, and post-operative care, readers can make informed decisions based on their unique medical needs. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or clinician, this comprehensive guide simplifies the process of selecting the most effective elbow brace for your needs.


Achilles Braces: How to Choose the Right Support for Your Injury

Achilles Braces: How to Choose the Right Support for Your Injury
By Megan Smith, PT, HR Director

Achilles braces are essential tools for managing tendonitis, supporting recovery from tendon injuries, and preventing re-injury during activity. This guide explains the different types of Achilles braces, like compression sleeves, stabilizers, and post-operative supports, and outlines the most important features to look for. Features such as anatomical fit, compression zones, and shoe compatibility. With proper guidance, choosing the right Achilles brace can significantly improve comfort, healing, and long-term mobility.


Top 5 Best Sacroiliac Joint Belts for Stabilization and Pain Relief

Top 5 Best Sacroiliac Joint Belts for Stabilization and Pain Relief
By Megan Smith, PT, HR Director

This expert-reviewed guide compares the top five sacroiliac joint belts. It highlights key features, use cases, and pros and cons of each belt, ranging from budget-friendly options to premium orthopedic-grade supports. The article also answers common questions about how SI belts work, how to wear them, and whether they’re effective, making it a comprehensive resource for patients managing SI joint dysfunction.


Top 5 Best Knee Immobilizer Braces

Top 5 Best Knee Immobilizer Braces
By Mike Price, OT

When your leg is injured and should not bend, a knee immobilizer provides support to keep your leg straight and helps in healing. Surgery, damaged ligaments or tendons around the knee, a fractured kneecap or shin, or a dislocated knee could all call for a knee immobilizer. Our product experts give their top selections in this article.


Top 5 Walking Boots

Top 5 Walking Boots
By Megan Smith, PT

Essential in the healing process for lower leg, ankle, and foot injuries, postoperative conditions, and acute medical conditions, walking boots help to limit movement so these injuries and conditions can heal more quickly and effectively. Available in a wide array of styles and sizes, a medical boot also helps to relieve pain, inflammation, and swelling, protecting the affected area against further harm. Our product experts give their top five selections in this article.


Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Walking Cast Boot

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Walking Cast Boot
By Megan Smith, PT

Walking casts are a great boon to anyone suffering from an injury or condition that affects the foot, ankle, or lower leg. But, did you know that you don't have to settle for that boring standard boot model? There are a range of different designs that provide versatile comfort and support to improve your recovery experience, and we're here to help you choose the perfect one for your needs!


Expert Explains How to Choose a Knee Brace

Expert Explains How to Choose a Knee Brace
By Benjamin K. Mattox, DrPH, PA-C

Since the knee is one of the most commonly injured joints in the body, people ranging from professional athletes to senior citizens have to regularly deal with the effects of knee issues. The support of a knee brace - whether used to fend off age and arthritis-related pain or to rehabilitate a sports injury - can facilitate continued mobility and reduce pain and inflammation in the joint. Knee pain should not be ignored, and in many cases, can be addressed by wearing a sleeve or brace. 

 


How to Sleep with a Neck Brace

How to Sleep with a Neck Brace
By Mike DeWilde, OTR/L

There are various practical ways to enhance comfort, reduce pain, and enjoy deep, rejuvenating, and healing sleep while you recover from a neck injury or condition. We recommend the innovative and award-winning Aspen Vista TX Neck Support Collar as one of the most comfortable neck braces to wear, especially while sleeping. 


How to Choose a Hip Brace [Explained by a Nurse]

How to Choose a Hip Brace [Explained by a Nurse]
By Amanda Marten, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Hip pain is not uncommon, and can be an indicator of underlying conditions that can cause acute or chronic discomfort. By using a hip brace, you can support and stabilize the hip to support mobility and contribute to comfortably undertaking daily life activities. Our product experts give their top recommendations in this article.


Best Air Cast Boot: Shoebaum Air Cam Walker

Best Air Cast Boot: Shoebaum Air Cam Walker
By Mike DeWilde, OTR/L

The Shoebaum Air Cam is an innovative shock-absorbing walking boot that allows for both improved wound healing and mimicking of the normal gait process. Its comfortable design also helps increase home-user compliance and is loved by users.

 


Having trouble putting on your AFO Brace? Use the Original AFO Assist

Having trouble putting on your AFO Brace? Use the Original AFO Assist
By Diane Vitillo, MS, OTR, PTA, CAPS, CLIPP

An ankle foot orthosis (AFO) is a rehabilitation product worn by individuals to correct foot drop and other biomechanical complications caused by a variety of conditions including stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological impairments. The Original AFO Assist was created by an Occupational Therapist to maximize your independence in this dressing task thereby reducing (or even eliminating) the need for caregiver assistance.


iWALK 3.0 Review: Hands-Free Crutch

iWALK 3.0 Review: Hands-Free Crutch
By Mike Price, OT

The iWALK is an innovative hands-free mobility device that can be used both short-term after acute lower extremity injuries and long-term for chronic conditions. It promotes a quicker recovery while allowing you to continue with your daily activities of living. The iWALK 3.0 is just one of the many innovative medical products that can help assist in your recovery. Here our some reviews by our customers.

 


Health From The Bottom Up | Which Orthotics Brands Do We Recommend

Health From The Bottom Up | Which Orthotics Brands Do We Recommend
By Jeanine Clancy, MEd, BSN, RN

Orthotics, as a category, clearly covers a wide range of products. Foot orthotics can reduce the risk of stress fractures in the lower extremities by as much as 41%. In addition, correcting alignment problems in the feet, legs, and hips can significantly impact overall spinal health. Our product experts give their top recommendations in this article.


5 Best Forearm Crutches

5 Best Forearm Crutches
By Mike Price, OT

Frequently preferred for ambulation support over underarm crutches and canes, forearm crutches are uniquely designed to provide more control than these mobility counterparts. They’re also more comfortable for long-term use with medical conditions and disabilities that hinder lower-extremity mobility, while they’re also often chosen for short-term injury and post-op recovery as well. Our product experts give their top five selections in this article.


Sleep Great Even With a Brace: Top 5 Best Resting Hand Orthoses

Sleep Great Even With a Brace: Top 5 Best Resting Hand Orthoses
By Megan Smith, PT

There are a lot of reasons you might need a hand or wrist splint, but sleeping with a standard brace can be uncomfortable and interfere with your ability to rest. Resting hand orthoses are the best solution to this problem, offering the same amount of support while being soft, padded, and comfortable enough to be worn at night. Check out our five best picks to help you choose the right one for you!


What is an AFO? 5 Tips to Help You Choose

What is an AFO? 5 Tips to Help You Choose
By Megan Smith, PT

AFOs are designed to provide an effective solution for foot and ankle protection through the healing process. These sleek, supportive devices can be a great tool for recovery, but where do you start? Check out these helpful tips to guide you through the process!