Due to heavy lifting or constant wear, falls, bruises, bumps and other careless movements, the shoulder may be damaged. Therapy of such injuries usually proceeds slowly and requires a temporary immobilization of the limb. For these purposes, an orthosis on the shoulder joint is used - a special medical device that allows to limit movements and accelerate rehabilitation. It is also often used in the postoperative period.
Why do we need an orthosis on the shoulder joint and elbow or arm?
Usually considered calipers are appointed to wear with a variety of shoulder injuries:
- strains, tears and ligament ruptures ;
- injuries of the humeral joints;
- dislocations and subluxations;
- damage to tendons and muscles;
- fractures of bone structures;
- arthrosis or arthritis;
- tenosynovitis ;
- inflammatory processes in cartilage tissues.
Orthosis on the shoulder joint helps with sports overloads, especially during periods of intense training and preparation for competitions.
As already mentioned, the described fixatives are recommended to be worn after surgical interventions, for example, arthroscopy. They are prescribed to be used directly during the removal of the plaster bandage, when less rigid immobilization of the limb is needed and limited mobility of the hand is allowed.
Shoulder calipers, in addition to basic functions, contribute to improving blood circulation and lymph flow in the affected area, arresting an intense pain syndrome, removing puffiness and swelling of soft tissues.
Types of fixing orthoses for the shoulder joint
Depending on the severity of the injury, as well as the goals of treatment, the orthopedist chooses a fixator with different stiffness:
- Soft. The accessory is sewn from an elastic hypoallergenic tissue (several layers), which exerts moderate pressure on the skin and muscles. These calipers are equipped with soft inserts, preventing overload of the joint. As a rule, these orthoses are used to prevent shoulder injuries, as well as in the late rehabilitation period.
- Semi-rigid. Soft orthosis with hard, but flexible inserts. Performs the same functions as the accessory from the previous paragraph, but moderately restricts the mobility of the joint.
- Hard. Dense caliper, completely or partially immobilizing the injured limb. The lock has wide solid inserts made of thick plastic or metal, sometimes used as a physiological tire.