Custom Knee Orthosis
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A custom knee orthosis (KO) or knee brace is used to treat numerous different types of injuries and diagnoses. The type of brace is determined by your diagnosis and the physician's prescription, but the two braces we supply most often are the Functional Knee Orthosis and the Unloader Knee Orthosis.
The Functional KO helps provide stability for the knee jointed is mainly used for knees that have sustained an injury or ligament tear. The Unloader KO helps to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis by unloading either the medial or lateral compartments to reduce bone on bone rubbing. What conditions do they treat?
Custom KO's are beneficial for treating a number of medical conditions and injuries. These include:
What are the treatment goals?
We book an hour for your first appointment at which time Eric Bapty, our Certified Orthotist, will take a medical history and perform a physical examination of your lower limbs which includes an evaluation of muscle strength, joint alignment and range of motion. He will then conduct a gait analysis, discuss your abilities, support and situation before suggesting a Treatment Plan (TP) based on his assessment and the prescription from your doctor. Treatment goals:
How are KO's made?
To fulfill your Treatment Plan (TP), Eric, our Certified Orthotist will perform shape capture with the appropriate casting and/or measurements. Our in-house lab will create a plaster model which Eric modifies to suit your TP. Wendy, our Orthotic Technician, and Eric will custom fabricate your custom AFO using the recommended materials. The custom KO will have joints at the knee and a metal or thermoset resin frame. All braces have straps to help ensure the correct application. How to use your Ko's
Custom KO's work best when applied directly against the skin. Our Certified Orthotist will ensure that the orthotic fit is correct at your dispensing appointment, explain the wearing protocol, and offer information on any additional modalities appropriate for treating your condition. While the correction provided may take some time to get used to, the KO should not be painful. We provide a follow-up appointment after two weeks to make sure the fit and function are working for you. We also recommend that you book a follow-up appointment if you experience any redness or bruising, if your leg changes in size or if you experience a re-occurrence of pain. Our Certified Orthotist can reassess your situation and determine the best course of treatment, which could include modifying the KO we provided for you, or making new ones. Velcro straps on your KO need to be kept clear of lint and generally need replacing every year or so. There is a fee for this service for which we are happy to provide you a quote. What funding is there?
The Ontario Assistive Devices Program (ADP) will fund up to 75% of the cost of a new KO provided that:
ADP may partially cover the cost for replacing straps. Please ask us for more details. Private Insurance may pay for all or a portion of the cost not covered by ADP. It is important to consult your insurance company to determine what coverage you may have. Most companies require a physician's prescription in order to access funding. There may also be coverage by:
For more information, visit our Funding Page. guidelines for your knee Orthosis
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