Many of the supply companies used by and marketed to chiropractors are often focused on low back and neck supports. The braces and other orthotic supplies illustrated in these catalogues are often the bare minimum and of poor quality. Physical therapists, orthopedists, and chiropractors who have a special interest in sport's injury management often deal with a different group of suppliers who provide a vast number of bracing options. Some of these options include braces or orthoses designed for very specific functional problems and may include custom fitting I thought that I would provide a brief list of some of these companies. This is a personal list of favorites and is not designed to be comprehensive or to unfairly exclude any particular company.

With perhaps the exception of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) braces, most braces and supports are intended to provide a temporary function. Immobilization may be the initial intent of some splints and braces for acute injuries. Whereas, in the subacute phase, protected, limited range of motion may be provided. Many of these types of braces allow "dialing-in" of the allowable range of motion deemed appropriate.

Although I will list companies by specific types of braces, it must be assumed that the majority of these companies have more products than the brace mentioned and often have catalogues with braces/supports for the spine and extremities available by request from their 800 number.

Air-Stirrup Although taping and figure-of-eight and other braces are used for ankle sprains, the standard for most sport's docs is the Air-Stirrup. There are over 50 published studies backing the efficacy of the Air-Stirrup. This brace provides support and aircell compression to prevent edema accumulation allowing earlier return to activity. It has also been used for early return to activity with athletes recovering from stress fractures of the tibia. For more information:

AIRCAST Inc.
P.O. Box 709
Summit, NJ 07902-0709
Phone 1-800-526-8785 or 908-273-6349
Fax 1-800-4574221 or 908-273-1060

ACL Braces ACL braces are designed to provide restriction to hyperextension, restriction to over rotation, and provide protection from varus/valgus stress. To adequately supply all these needs, it is generally accepted that off-the-shelf bracing is less efficient than custom-fitted devices. Although casting used to be the mode of matching an individual's knee contour to the brace, other options such as line drawing and measurement devices have substituted this older approach. The numbers are then entered into a computer program and a relatively individualized support is produced. The brace company provides the doctor with the measurement devices and technical support and training if necessary. There are many companies that provide these very light weight supports. Many are made from either titanium, carbon, or a combination of both. They are extremely expensive with the doctor's price averaging around $450-600. Below are some of my favorites.

INNOVATION SPORTS
7 Crysler
Irvine, CA 92718
Phone 1-800-222-4284 or 1-800-331-5491
(makers of the CTi brace)

SMITH & NEPHEW DONJOY Inc.
2777 Loker Ave.
West Suite 100
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone 1-800-336-6569
Fax 619-438-3210

GENERATION II USA Inc.

 Phone 1-888-218-9491 Web site at www.gen2.com 

EMPI Inc.
599 Cardigan Road
St. Paul, Minnesota 55126-4099
Phone 1-800-328-2536

Other Knee Braces Bracing for patellar problems, medial collateral ligament strains, and for general support are offered by many of the above companies. In addition, here are a few other companies.

One type of brace that provides little control of knee motion, however, may provide some protection from outside valgus forces (prophylactic brace) is the McDavid Knee Guard.

MCDAVID KNEE GUARD Inc.
5420 W. Roosevelt Road
Chicago, Illinois 60644
Phones 1-800-237-8254 or 773-626-7100
Fax 773-626-7322

One company that specializes in patellar bracing is:

DYNORTHOTICS
8206 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22182
Phone 1-800-29-BRACE
Fax 1-800-PALUMBO

If you are interested in the McConnell patellofemoral taping approach, DonJoy (listed above) provides a patellofemoral taping kit.

Shoulder Braces Most shoulder braces are used for post-dislocation protection or for those athletes with generalized shoulder instability. There are a number of good options. Some of the companies and the specific brace are listed below;

Sully Brace
Saunder Group
Phone 1-800-770-8920

SSI
Boston Brace International
Phone 1-800-262-2235

My favorite functional brace was developed by Dr. Tim Brown a very experienced chiropractor from Southern California who works with AVP Pro-Beach Volleyball. He incorporates lightweight material into a garment that fits over the trunk area allowing support of either or both shoulders through velcro straps. To contact Dr. Brown, call (714) 646-8830.

I would suggest that you contact each company to obtain a catalogue. Also ask colleagues who use bracing regularly such as physical therapists, trainers, orthopedists, and other sports chiropractors which companies they use.

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