How Do Knee Immobilizers Help?
A knee immobilizer is a medical brace which is worn on the leg to
lock the knee in extension and restrict any kind of range of motion. It limits
the knee’s movement and is often post an injury or surgery in order to assist the
knee, muscles and tendons to heal. The knee immobilizer comprises of a hard and
stiff support in the back and on the sides along with a foam liner. Besides, it
is also prescribed in case of several other conditions such as knew flexion
contracture prevention, knee fracture due to an accident or a fall etc.
Physicians suggest that knee immobilizer must only be used by the person for
whom it is meant and prescribed and custom fit. Knee immobilizer is used when a patient is non-weight bearing and
is an alternative for total leg cast immobilization. For instance, while
sleeping, a patient might toss and turn and unintentionally reinjure the knee
joint. Knee
immobilizers are also sometimes called knee splints, and they stabilize
the knee joint and help provide cushion from any impact from the outside force.
In certain specific cases, knee immobilizers help in avoiding bacteria and
other organisms which result in infection from getting on the wound if any.
Sometimes, depending upon the condition knee immobilizers come with
controllable range of motion hinges and this is because the physician can
accordingly adjust the required rotation for the patient’s knee.
A few surveys based on the knee immobilizers’ sales market states
that a knee immobilizer is more often than not used post an acute injury to the
knee, such as a ligament rupture. Also, immobilizers are widely prescribed
after Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL
reconstruction) or a total knee replacement surgery. The knee immobilizer
can be easily removed and generally taken off at the time of physical therapy
every day. There are number of options of knee immobilizers available in the
market as per recommended, such as normal knee immobilizer – which has a unique
posterior stay and dual-cuff design which helps in great immobilization,
premium sized immobilizer – it comprises of laminated construction of canvas,
foam and brushed nylon, 3-panel knee immobilizer – two-sided brushed nylon,
laminated to breathable foam, complete foam immobilizer – it as brushed nylon
laminated on both sides of the breathable foam.
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