The C-Brace® orthotronic mobility system
The C-Brace® is the world’s only computer-controlled KAFO that uses sensor technology to control both the stance and swing phase.
WalkOn Reaction dorsiflexion assist orthosis
The WalkOn Reaction helps people with drop foot. It helps to elevate the foot during the swing phase, making the gait safer again.
Genu Arexa knee brace
The Genu Arexa knee brace from Ottobock stabilizes the knee after a torn ligament and prevents unfavorable movements.
Ottobock orthoses and supports
For more than 100 years, Ottobock has been collaborating with other specialists to develop functional orthopedic devices. Our goal is to help people move more freely and with less pain, correct malpositions, and provide effective support for the healing process. Orthoses and supports have proven to be particularly effective for these purposes. They allow injured ligaments, joints, and bones to heal. In addition, they can preserve functionality even in permanently impaired limbs and reduce pain.
Orthopedic devices such as supports and orthoses are extremely effective in augmenting other courses of treatment or therapy that your doctor prescribes. Orthoses have even been proven to stabilize and immobilize affected joints or limbs in people with paralysis. Orthoses for users with paralysis – for example, ankle-foot orthoses or knee-ankle-foot orthoses such as the Ottobock FreeWalk – are made to order by O&P professionals and are an ideal long-term solution for the treatment of individuals with complete or partial paralysis of one or both legs. These orthoses help people regain maximum freedom of movement despite their limitations.
When developing new products, Ottobock liaises closely with renowned O&P professionals, doctors, and therapists. Our aim is to create orthoses and supports for everyday life that are as easy as possible to use. For this reason, we focus not only on durability but also on developing comfortable products with skin-friendly materials that are easy to use. Thanks to their perfect balance of innovation and functionality, our products are exceptionally effective for people who have impairments affecting the locomotor system. This is proven by numerous scientific studies as well.
Throughout the course of our history – spanning more than a century – Ottobock has consistently focused on improving human mobility. Our entire product portfolio is geared towards restoring mobility for people with disabilities, supporting existing functions, easing strain, and significantly relieving pain. So if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort, don’t delay – find out more about your treatment options with Ottobock orthotics and reclaim as much of your quality of life as possible.
Diagnoses and symptoms that benefit from orthotics
There are many different illnesses and diagnoses that call for orthotics or supports – whether right from the start of treatment or afterwards to support therapy. If you have arthrosis, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, a torn ligament, a stroke, or an ankle joint injury, you may benefit from using a special support or orthotic to relieve your symptoms. Orthopedic devices can improve your mobility and general sense of well-being by relieving pain and symptoms that affect your locomotor system. Find out more about the diagnoses and symptoms where an orthotic or support can be useful, and learn about treatment options and diagnostic methods.
What are orthoses and supports?
By definition, supports and orthoses are medical devices that support and protect your locomotor system. They are generally prescribed by a doctor to treat injuries and illnesses of the locomotor system or supporting structures. They support the healing process and improve mobility in people with physical disabilities. Orthoses aim to stabilize, immobilize, and relieve strain on the affected joints. They also help people to perform movements correctly. This prevents or counteracts malpositions or excessive strain on a certain area and ensures that limb mobility is corrected. In the case of permanent physical disabilities, an orthosis is intended to help maintain functionality in the affected body area as well as prevent or relieve pain.
What’s the difference between an orthosis and a support?
Orthoses
In general, an orthosis is made of a sturdy, rigid material and includes functional elements such as straps, stirrups, joints, or rods. Depending on the requirement, they can be used to immobilize (prevent movement), mobilize, relieve, or stabilize a certain area of the body, or to correct malpositions in limbs and joints. In other words, an orthosis can be used either to completely immobilize the affected part of the body or to mobilize it in a controlled manner. Orthoses can also be used to correct the position or movement of a limb. In addition, there are special neuro-orthotics that can replace missing or impaired body functions. These are used, for example, in cases where an individual has complete or partial paralysis in their arms or legs following a stroke or an illness such as polio. If you believe an orthosis could help, you should always start by consulting your doctor. They will examine you carefully and tell you whether or not an orthosis is the right orthopedic device for your specific symptoms. Ideally, the doctor will then consult an O&P professional to find the appropriate product for your needs.
Supports
Unlike orthoses, supports are generally made of flexible fabrics combined with pads (elastic inserts integrated into the support). In most cases, supports are used to stabilize joints. First, the flexible fabric exerts a certain amount of pressure on the affected body part, which in turn stimulates muscle receptors. The integrated pads also massage the joint area, which helps to reduce oedema, bruising and haematoma. As with orthoses, supports should be used only after a thorough examination by a doctor. Working together with the doctor and an O&P professional, you will be able to find an appropriate product that is available locally.
Function and design in orthoses and supports
Function
Orthoses and supports can be highly effective for supporting therapy as well as increasing your sense of well-being and correcting malpositions, for example. But in order to do so, they need to be designed for the exact body area and exact symptoms in question. For this reason, Ottobock liaises closely with O&P professionals, doctors, and therapists when developing its supports and orthoses. We use specialist expertise from a range of orthopedic fields to develop products that offer maximum functionality. Made with quality materials, our orthopedic devices also enjoy a reputation for fitting well and for being pleasant and comfortable to wear. Ottobock meets the highest possible quality standards in these areas.
Design
Naturally, Ottobock’s primary focus is on the functionality of our orthotics and supports. But we’re also well aware that, as evidence shows, people are more likely to wear an orthopedic product on a regular, long-term basis if it has aesthetic appeal. For this reason, Ottobock involves numerous designers in the development process for new products. Many Ottobock orthotics and supports have won prestigious design awards.
How do you wear an orthosis or a support?
Orthoses and supports are worn directly on the part of the body affected by pain or other symptoms. Depending on the design, a variety of mechanisms can be used to hold them in place, including straps, hook-and-loop closures, press buttons and drawstrings. Many orthopedic devices can be put on by the user without outside help. In order to prevent circulatory disorders, orthoses and supports should always be optimally adjusted to the user to ensure they fit perfectly. A good fit is important not just to make the orthopedic device as comfortable as possible but also to ensure it can actually perform its required function, whether this is correcting a malposition or improving the mobility of a limb. For this reason, orthopedic devices should always be chosen and used in consultation with your doctor and with an O&P professional.
