General view of orthoses.

Braces and/or orthoses are one of the useful tools for treating stroke patients. Orthoses work to substitute for mechanical and/or functional impairments. This article discusses what orthoses are, what the purposes of orthoses are, how the orthoses are made, how long it takes to make the braces, and who makes them. Although braces and orthoses are heavier and tighter than usual shoes and clothing, they help patients a great deal in performing activities of daily living.

Key words: brace, orthosis, orthotist, prosthesis, team approach

What Is an Orthosis?

Braces are a commonly used form of orthosis. Braces have been used to deal with the locomotor …