Fitting Plastic or Metal Braces

This content is from page 542 of Disabled Village Children

IMPORTANT! Correct measurements are essential for a good fit.

Below-knee brace should reach almost to knee, yet allow knee to bend all the way.

Brace or clog should grip heel and ankle closely.

Above-knee brace should reach to about 2 cm. below groin.

Upper part of leather or plastic of brace should fit around the thigh closely.

Knee hinge (if used) should be at the middle of the knee, both in height and from front to back.

Side pieces should be close to knee but not touch or rub the child when he walks.

PLASTIC BRACE

METAL BRACE

lip under butt

If the leg is very weak or joints are damaged, the top of the brace can have a lip on which the butt rests, to bear part of the body weight. For design, see “Artificial Legs”.

KNEE PIECE

Soft part of pad sits directly over kneecap.

HINGE AT ANKLE LEVEL		HINGE AT FOOT LEVEL
Ankle hinges, if used, should be at the level of the bony lumps of the ankle.	Note: A brace with a hinge at ankle level is better than one with a hinge at foot level because it bends at the same height as the ankle joint. (However, a metal brace with ankle hinge is more difficult to make.)
		Side rod should attach at a point directly below the midline of leg.