Written by Mike Price, OT
Being prepared for anything is just a part of being in healthcare these days. That means having the right tools and equipment in full stock and at the ready. Supply chain difficulties can cause headaches for even the largest healthcare organizations-- that’s why it helps to have a supplier who understands. North Coast Medical strives to be more than just a manufacturer and distributor -- they want to form a relationship with the providers that they work with. North Coast is a market leader in medical and rehabilitation products
In addition to offering a plethora of in-house brands as a manufacturer, North Coast is also a licensed distributor of other recognized brands in the healthcare space including OXO, Biotone, and Moen. They even offer software-based inventory management solutions through their Control-Panel platform.
North Coast is a second-generation family business with a strong commitment to business integrity and a strong dedication to its customers. Read on to take a further look at some of the products North Coast offers.
 | Comfort-Cool Wrist and Thumb CMC Restriction Splint View Product |
Sometimes simplicity is best when it comes to durable medical goods. Wrist braces are a common medical device that actually treats and solves a variety of issues. Whether a patient is suffering from tendonitis, arthritis, or recovering from a surgical repair, having stable splint support is vital. When wearing a wrist brace, the thumb joint and wrist remain immobile while the fingers are unrestricted.
Studies have actually shown specific benefits that come from wrist splinting, specifically in rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. Subjects reported significantly decreased pain during strength exertion after stabilization of their wrist. Wearing a splint generally helps to speed along recovery for people who are experiencing an injury. More importantly, perhaps, it also tends to prevent further injury from occurring through additional support.
These devices are affordable and great to keep on hand for minor injuries in a clinic. For home use or in a long-term care facility, having access to a wrist brace can be a big help for patients with age-related joint pain.
 | Comfort Cool Thumb Spica Orthosis View Product |
For more specialized support, some patients might benefit from a targeted approach to help with joint pain. Specifically, issues with the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint can create majorly disruptive disruptions for day-to-day activities. Thumb pain is common with osteoarthritis, and it affects women with an incidence rate three times higher than men. Outside of surgical intervention, treatment options include anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroid injections, and splinting.
By using a thumb spica to splint just the CMC joint and thumb, a more full range of motion is available in the hand. Patients who are using the splint for occasional palliative use will find that it offers support during activities requiring hand strength without getting in the way.
North Coast’s Comfort Cool Thumb Spica comes with a few additional features that elevate it above other similar products. First, this splint comes with a pocket for a thermoplastic insert. Thermoplastic support material can be heated and actually molded directly to the shape of the user’s hand. This allows for custom support where you need it most.
 | Silipos Heel/Elbow Slip-Over View Product |
Repetitive motion strain is a well-known cause of chronic elbow problems. Conditions include tennis elbow bursitis, cubital tunnel syndrome, and common inflammation and sprains. Unlike the spica and splint mentioned above, the idea behind an elbow ‘support’ is that it actually allows flexion of the elbow joint. The most basic design for this kind of device is a fabric sleeve that slides over the arm and rests at the elbow. Typically, there will be a padded layer to protect the joint. The padding will contour around the elbow and provide protection from direct pressure.
The North Coast model linked below is specially designed to provide protection for the Ulnar nerve that runs through the elbow. Ulnar Nerve compression is a nerve disorder that can cause numbness, pain, or tingling in the entire arm. This can be caused by a person keeping their elbow bent for extended periods. By padding and protecting the elbow, this condition can be avoided.
 | Dema Grip Compression Stockinette View Product |
Elastic bandages come in all shapes, sizes, and usages. Also known as compression bandages, these stretchable wraps can be used to apply steady pressure to a specific area or to add padding under a splint or orthotic. In sports medicine, the acronym RICE -- rest, ice, compression, elevation, -- is used as a first-line treatment regimen against strains and sprains. Compression from a bandage or stockinette helps to prevent swelling in the affected area. Medical or athletic tape is also commonly used in the same way.
When compared to a traditional wrap, stockinette’s have an advantage for certain use-cases. They are tubular and provide support all the way around an extremity -- like a sleeve. This can also be useful for securing bandages post-surgically. North Coast’s Dema Grip is actually self-adjusting for compression purposes. As the sleeve wraps around bodily contours, the amount of pressure it provides is automatically adjusted so that the patient gets compression where they need it most. The comfortable cotton/spandex blend is well suited for daily wear.
 | Urias Adult Air Splints View Product |
Traditional splints and supports, as detailed above, are sufficient for many common types of injury or disability. In certain situations, however, a fixed splint is impractical. Air Splints are a unique solution that incorporates inflated PVC sheeting -- essentially supporting the extremity in an air bubble. A good air splint will provide steady, gentle pressure across the surface of the affected area.
Often, air splints are used to quickly and easily immobilize a broken or sprained limb before a permanent cast can be applied. They are great for use in the field because they take up very little space in a first aid kit when deflated, and are reusable.
Additionally, air splints can be used to treat asymmetrical tone and muscle weakness that might come from neurological disorders. The range of common issues that are being treated with air splints extends from hypotension to edema and spasticity. Traditional splints to treat these problems have to be custom-made or can be difficult to use for individuals with special needs. Air pressure-supported devices are an affordable alternative.
 | Swedish Ankle Foot Orthotic View Product |
Providing extra support for the feet and ankles requires unique solutions. Orthotics for the feet have to be sturdy, but at the same time flexible and slender enough to fit the user's daily life. Ankle foot orthoses -- also called AFOs or Multi Podus boots-- are designed to support the ankle and sole of the foot. They typically look like a plastic splint in a boot shape to support the back of the ankle and calf.
An AFO can be useful for a multitude of foot issues, but its primary function is to help patients who have a condition called foot drop. Foot drop is marked by an inability to lift the toes or foot from the ankle. This symptom affects many stroke patients and is a result of muscle weakness that prevents flexing the foot properly during the swing phase of gait. Foot drop limits mobility and increases the risk of falling. A rigid L-shaped or hinged boot helps to keep the foot at a proper angle for walking and can even offer approximately normal dorsiflexion. The option listed here from North Coast is not intended for severe foot drop, but it is a great affordable option for most cases -- it also has the benefit of fitting into a standard shoe.
 | Bendable Cushioned Good Grips Utensils View Product |
Everyone needs to eat, regardless of grip strength, dexterity, or other impairment. Assistive eating utensils are a small expense that can make a huge difference for user autonomy and wellbeing. These cushioned, wide grip utensils from North Coast are unique because they can be easily bent to accommodate better angles for eating. Durable rubber handles are extra wide in order to accommodate any grip or grip strength.
 | Norco Easy-Pull Sock Aids View Product |
Dressing is an activity of daily living that has a huge significance to independence. However, dressing oneself is usually a process involving multiple complex compound movements of the upper and lower body. This makes it especially challenging for people with certain mobility impairments or limitations.
Sock aids are simple but ingenious -- the user places a sock over the end of a plastic trough and uses a looped handle to pull the sock onto the foot. It is hard to oversell the value of being able to put one's own socks on.
 | Norco Protective Helmet View Product |
Helmets protect the most important resource that any of us has -- our brain. Many people who are living with cerebral palsy, autism, or forms of epilepsy are extra susceptible to head trauma. A protective helmet can make all the difference in the event of a serious fall or thrashing episode. Comfortable, lightweight, adjustable helmets are a must to encourage usage.
This model from North Coast is simple but highly popular. Comfortable foam padding on the inside offers support while a more durable outer shell offers impact protection.
North Coast is a highly dependable provider of just about anything you could need in your first aid kit or at your nursing station. This family business cares about connections with its customers. View our North Coast Products and check out Caregiver University through RehabMart for more in-depth articles.
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Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
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