Lecture 16 ORTHOTICS Bracing the Lower Extremity

Abstract

A long leg brace allows patients to walk despite weakness. When prescribing a brace, the physician should consider its six components—trunk attachment, thigh piece, knee joint, calf piece, ankle joint and foot piece. Short leg braces and foot braces pose different problems, but, like the long leg brace, they should be comfortable, durable and accomplish their purpose.