FAQ
In this section you will find frequently asked questions about braces. Do you have a question you do not see answered below, please send us an email.
What does a brace?
What activities can I use a brace?
Is it true that muscles relax through the use of braces?
Can I walk with a brace or is that just for sport?
I suffer from discomfort around the kneecap with stairs, I can fix that with a brace?
How long do you have to wear a brace?
Should I keep my brace while sleeping?
What is the difference between a brace and an elastic bandage?
How long will a brace anyway?
What does a brace?
A brace is a tool that you make to support a joint.
The reason may lie in a lack of stability or strength, or pain or swelling.
A carefully measured and properly fitted brace restricts certain joint results without the necessary movement pattern in a particular sport unnecessarily affected.
The operation of almost every brace is in giving external pressure (compression) and mechanical support.
Several joints can be supported in this way, such as the ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, shoulder, neck and lower back.
To 'mute' the great forces in a joint brace is a handy and easy to build tool.
Obviously, this can not be prevented. Each new injury
Mute does not mean that 100% all forces can be eliminated, but luckily most.
For example, research from the ankle joint sufficiently demonstrated that both enkeltaping as enkelbracing especially outside inhibits undesired lean.
The effect is maintained during the operation provided the brace (or tape) is constructed.
The effect of an ankle brace is almost comparable to the effect of a single tape.
The advantage of a brace is short: less skin irritation, it is easy to fit and, given cost-benefit, cheaper.
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
What activities can I use a brace?
A brace can be used in activities, which is increasing the likelihood that complaints arise from spraining or twisting, accompanied by swelling, loss of function and / or pain.
Both in everyday life and in leisure time, and particularly sports, can this kind of high-risk moments occur.
Sports which involve a lot of turning or jumping should be (as with most contact, team and jumping sports) have an increased risk of injuries to ligaments and joints.
Prevention is a brace than an effective tool.
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Is it true that muscles relax through the use of braces?
No, it is a myth that a brace the muscles weaken. This misunderstanding is to disprove. With simple arithmetic
An average athlete in the Netherlands is 3 to 4 hours per week any sport.
During these activities, eg. An ankle brace used to prevent new injuries.
This does not mean that the ankle muscles at that time will be suspended entirely.
But the rest of the week (away from the sport) are stimulated enough ankle muscles (168 hours less sleep hours, minus four hours of sports, minus quiet and sitting down) that they will not weaken.
In addition, the braces are functional; non-risky movements are permitted in large measure, allowing muscles remain active.
It is also true that a brace manufacturers will not recommend without pointing out the importance of muscle training.
After example. Ankle ligament injury is every injured athlete to strengthen the ankle muscles and improve coordination. Around the ankle
So muscle exercises, in addition to a brace anyway desired.
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Can I walk with a brace or is that just for sport?
A brace is not just for sports.
A brace on the knee or ankle may also be of use while walking, especially when walking on uneven surfaces, such as in a forest or in the dunes.
But generally is not needed, a brace in everyday activities without risk of injury if the instability is not excessive.
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
I suffer from discomfort around the kneecap with stairs, I can fix that with a brace?
Some knee problems by climbing stairs, arising due to a patella that does not track, making the cartilage behind the kneecap becomes irritated, can be remedied with a special knee brace.
Sometimes it can also ease the pressure on the kneecap so annoying symptoms are reduced or prevented. Called a patellar tendon strap (Patella)
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
How long do you have to wear a brace?
Wearing a brace may be needed for some time.
Take for example the ankle brace. Guidelines in this regard depend on a number of factors.
Of course, the amount of play in the ankle ligaments of interest, in combination with the ankle muscles, which the slack should be active can absorb.
In the case of sports activities will always be important that sport is practiced.
Sports which involve a lot of turning and jumping to remain always entail an increased risk of a new single deficits.
If athletes 'weak ankles' and are active in a high-risk sports, then protection of ankle (s) a must for the rest of your sporting life.
An ankle brace as well as the sports shoes and sports clothes.
This seems at first glance tedious, inconvenient and expensive, but the user realizes often only later that the use of a brace simple and not cumbersome, and a lot of unpleasant symptoms may occur.
If you opt for less strenuous sports in terms of running and jumping, such as distance running, cycling, swimming or rowing, only protection necessary (3-6 months). Only a short period
Then the ankle muscles should be able to save. Unaidedly
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Should I keep my brace while sleeping?
Yes, during the sleep a brace can be worn when this is desirable for a treatment.
However, due to possible constriction of the blood vessels are advised loosened to adjust the tires.
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
What is the difference between a brace and an elastic bandage?
A brace gives more support than an elastic bandage.
The latter bandage is an elastic bandage though applying pressure and protecting the skin, relatively little mechanical support.
So with a lack of stability, after a sprained knee / ankle, a brace is far preferable.
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
How long will a brace anyway?
A brace can be numerous times worn and washed, but it will wear out eventually.
The degree of wear will depend on the type of brace, the frequency of use, the production of moisture and the local friction forces.
An ankle brace wear faster than for example a wrist brace.
The life of a brace is partly determined by good maintenance.
Maintenance instructions supplied by the manufacturer.
A brace that 2-3 times per week is used intensively after 1 - 1.5 years worn.
Sports Physiotherapist, Physiotherapy
mr. R. de Vries
