What are orthoses?

Orthoses are external devices fitted to the limbs, trunk, and other parts of the human body.

They are mainly used to prevent or correct limb deformities, treat bone and joint and neuromuscular diseases, and compensate for motor function. According to the installation location, they are divided into three major categories: upper limb, lower limb and spinal orthoses, including sub-types such as shoulder-elbow-wrist-hand orthoses (SEWHO), ankle-foot orthoses (AFO), and thoracolumbar-sacral orthoses (TLSO) . Their core functions include stabilizing joints, correcting deformities, reducing load and compensating for movement, and achieving treatment goals by limiting abnormal activities, adjusting biomechanical structure and distributing pressure.

Clinical application requires medical evaluation, individualized customization, fitting and adaptation and follow-up adjustment. The indications cover diseases such as open fractures, spinal cord injury, post-stroke spasticity, foot drop and scoliosis. Modern orthotics utilize 3D scanning, low-temperature thermoplastic materials, and intelligent technology, combined with biomechanical principles to achieve dynamic adaptation, taking into account both treatment and early rehabilitation needs. Their fabrication involves polymer materials, metals, and carbon fibers, and is designed and adjusted by a professional team based on the patient's type of functional impairment and environmental adaptability.