Fracture Braces, Precut Hand and Arm Splints

What is Fracture Bracing?

Fracture bracing can treat certain long bone fractures without surgery, or be utilized as an aid in the healing process after surgery. This type of brace enables free motion of both joints closest to the fracture, particularly fractures in the tibia, humerus, ulna, and distal radius. The fracture alignment is maintained through compression of the soft tissue while allowing a degree of fracture site motion. This motion will not cause malunion as long as the position of the fragments is maintained by the soft tissue compression. Fracture bracing can only maintain alignment; it will not obtain acceptable alignment. Keeping the limb stiff is what maintains bone alignment. A fracture bracing can increase the stiffness of a limb with a fresh fracture through soft tissue compression.

What is Humeral Fracture Bracing?

Humerus fractures are normally unstable because the arm is bulky and surrounded by fatty tissue. Fracture braces help because they allow adjustments to be made to maintain soft tissue compression around the arm. Managing a humeral shaft fracture without surgery requires the same detailed attention as an open reduction surgery. Using a brace can give good results as long as the arm is allowed to function early and joint movement is encouraged. Humeral fracture braces are made from prefabricated, contoured orthopedic grade thermoplastics. This makes them lightweight, durable, adjustable, and easy to remove for cleaning.

What is Ulnar Fracture Bracing?

Certain fractures of the ulna can be maintained with non-operative bracing. Many ulnar fractures are normally stable as long as the radioulnar joints are not disrupted. The fracture brace should have overlapping shells to maintain soft tissue compression, and brace adjustments around the arm. Isolated fractures of the ulna are suitable for fracture bracing if they are located within the distal half of the shaft. An ulnar brace can allow comfortable wrist flexion and extension, and elbow motion. The brace is usually lined with foam, has adjustable straps to maintain compression, and is perforated for ventilation and comfort.

What is Colles’ Fracture Bracing?

Treating Colles’ fractures with bracing has been associated with good functional results. There are three factors that are related to the forces which act upon the fracture site: they are muscular, anatomic, and mechanical. The muscular forces are the finger and wrist extensors and brachioradialis. Positioning the forearm in supination helps to minimize forces on the dorsal side of the wrist. This helps in the maintenance of a reduction. Anatomic restoration is essential if reduction is to be maintained.

In most Colles’ fractures, the volar cortex is intact and the dorsal cortex is comminuted. Therefore, forces should be maximized on the volar side and minimized on the dorsal side. To accomplish this, position the forearm in supination. This gives mechanical advantage to the flexor forces while decreasing extensor forces. The fracture brace is made to prevent extension of the wrist, limit radial deviation, and maintain the position of the forearm in supination. A supracondylar elbow extension aids in suspension of the device, as well as preventing rotation of the forearm.

What is Tibial Fracture Bracing?

Tibial fracture bracing can include most closed fractures and many open fractures with a low degree of soft tissue damage. One style is the patellar tendon-bearing brace, which was designed on the basis of the patellar tendon-bearing prosthesis used by below-the-knee amputees. The tibia length is maintained because of the environment that is created by the compressed water-rich soft tissue surrounding the fractured tibia. A well-fitting circular brace is made of a material that can be adjusted to the girth of the leg, since it can change as the soft tissue edema changes.

What is a CASH Brace?

A CASH (Cruciform Anterior Spinal Hyperextension) brace is mainly used to treat fractures between the lower thoracic spine (T6) and upper lumbar spine (L3). It is designed to provide support and immobilization of the thoracic and lumbar regions following various surgical procedures or traumatic injuries. A CASH brace can be used to help treat laminectomy or discectomy, post-operative thoracic/lumbar fusion, compression fractures, osteoporosis, degenerative disc disease, single column spinal instability immobilization, and facet syndrome.

A CASH brace features pubic and anterior sternal pads to produce a force which is opposed by the strap and posterior pad around the thoracolumbar region. The pelvic and sternal pads attach to the anterior metal cross-shaped bar. This bar can be bent to reduce excess pressure on the pelvis and chest. The brace is easy to put on and off, but it is difficult to adjust. It provides a greater breast and axillary pressure relief and has two round upper chest pads that can be used instead of the sternal pad to decrease discomfort around the breast area.

Rehabmart is pleased to offer a wide selection of superior quality fracture bracing from esteemed medical vendors inclusive of Chattanooga, DeRoyal, Bird & Cronin Inc., North Coast and Orthomerica.

Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO

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