Using orthoses as functional therapy in patients with knee-joint injuries
Before functional orthoses came along, patients were often immobilized for weeks or even months by casts. Today, medi proudly helps keep patients mobile even throughout rehabilitation or treatment with functional therapy through the use of orthoses. Wearing an orthosis can help patients once they begin to attend therapy as well. They may already be more mobile and ready to receive treatment. Additionally, painkiller usage is reduced when alternative solutions like the use of orthoses are introduced.
Injuries in the knee joint area are a common diagnosis that may require the preoperative, postoperative and conservative use of a knee brace. The use of knee braces as a conservative treatment measure is recommended not only in the two S1 guidelines on anterior and posterior cruciate ligament ruptures: 1, 2
In two representative patient surveys, it could be shown that knee orthoses are used as aids and are worn with pleasure and consistently. Knee orthoses can protect the result of the operation and support the patient in their early functional therapy. 3-5 In addition, the surveys showed a high level of patient satisfaction: 94 percent of users would recommend a knee orthosis to others.
Within the medical and healthcare industry, times are changing and so are opinions. Patient care is now undoubtedly at the forefront of today’s medical and surgical treatments, with particular attention being paid to:
- Prevention: a best-case scenario
- Therapy: patient care with highest priority
- Post-operative care: a necessary focus
In this respect, ‘functional therapy’ focuses on the patient’s prompt return to activity not only after trauma, but also in the case of degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
Functional therapy promotes freedom – the freedom to be active. medi orthopedics has therefore developed an ‘intelligent’ functional therapy product range, designed to treat the deficiencies in our locomotive system with specific emphasis being placed on joint function, treatment, protection and rehabilitation.
The medi orthopedic goal is to introduce and establish one further element to the surgical, physical, pharmaceutical, and physiological therapies of modern-day comprehensive medicine:
Functional therapy with braces and supports provides one element of a successful, overall treatment and rehabilitation of patients. Comfort while wearing, ease of use and functionality decide the success.
In close cooperation with doctors and orthopedic technicians, medi orthopedics has developed innovative products and product concepts, which – depending on the goal of the therapy – are effective in:
- Supporting and improving mobility
- Unloading damaged joint areas
- Securing joint functions
- Reassuring and activating the patient
1 Institute for Demoskopie Allensbach (2014)