Currently, the treatment of rib fractures requires the exclusion of all associated injuries. This is typically follow by the symptomatic treatment of the condition with analgesics. Irrespective of the specific type of hip/waist/rib braces used, deep breathing is highly encouraged and recommended for the avoidance of delayed or secondary pulmonary complications.
The use of the different types of hip/waist/rib braces is the treatment of patients suffering from acute fractures of the rib sometimes causes restricted ventilation. However, this is the main option available to treat conditions affecting the ribs, the waist, and the hip. Read on to learn more about these braces:
Introducing Hip Braces
Hip braces are typically used to heal those who need to improve the alignment of their hips or who have undergone hip surgery and need to relieve the pain they are feeling. Additionally, it can be used by pediatrics and adults alike for the treatment of hip dysplasia.
There are different types of top quality rib/waist/hip braces in the market today. Most of the best are made by highly respected vendors – including Synergy Therapeutics, Orthomerica, Comfy Splints, Optec USA, and Restorative Care of America.
These types of braces include but are not limited to Hip Braces, Abdominal Binders, Hernia Support Braces, Rib Belts, and Hernia Trusses.
In most cases, when the equipment has to be used on a newborn, it is essential that the doctors ensure that the dysplastic hip of the baby goes right back into its socket. This is easy to affect particularly because the relaxing hormones of the mother will still be in the baby. To this end, doctors will usually use the least aggressive and invasive treatment and hip/waist/rib braces to achieve the outcomes desired.
While the unstable or dislocated hips of newborns are easily to realign, hip/waist/rib braces and harnesses will typically be used to hold the baby’s legs in position long enough while the ligaments and sockets become more stable. This encourages the normal development of the baby’s hip joints.
Anyway, hip abduction braces are commonly used following treatments that involve Spica casts. The time spent in the brace will reintroduce a greater range of motion for the hips as it continues growing and becoming stronger and more stable.
Today, there is a wide variety of hip/waist/rib braces and other positioning devices and equipment available in the market – including Hip Braces, Abdominal Binders, Hernia Support Braces, Rib Belts, and Hernia Trusses. However, harnesses rank among the most common. Doctors also use fixed abduction braces to correct problems in the hip, waist, and/or ribs.
Treating Hip Dysplasia
There are many examples of different hip abduction braces available in the market today. This means that the choice of the device to use will depend on the treatment experience of your doctor, as well as the needs of your family.
Irrespective of the hip/waist/rib braces used, your doctor will most likely recommend that you wear the Hip Braces, Abdominal Binders, Hernia Support Braces, Rib Belts, and/or Hernia Trusses full time for anywhere between 6 and 12 weeks. However, some doctors will permit the removal of the brace for diaper changes as well as bathing. Still, you need to keep the legs apart to ensure that the ball of the hip is correctly aligned to the socket.
Once the hips become more stable, you can start wearing the hip/waist/rib braces part-time (usually at night) for another 4 to 6 weeks.
Lumbosacral and Sacroiliac Belts: Types of Body Braces
These belts are designed for the bracing of pelvic and lumbar spine pain. These hip/waist/rib braces are used for the treatment of any pain associated with the sacrum and lumbar spine.
To these end, there are different spinal braces (otherwise referred to as orthoses or orthotics). However, lumbosacral and sacroiliac belts are the most common. Read on to learn more about these specific types of hip/waist/rib braces:
1. Sacroiliac Belts
Sacroiliac belts are typically prescribed for the treatment of sacroiliac joint pains. The joints, also referred to as SI joints, are located on both sides of the sacrum, which is the base of the spine. These joints, to this end, connect the pelvis to the sacrum.
Like every other joint in the human body, the sacroiliac joints are enmeshed in a series of strong ligaments. When your ligaments are healthy, they will prevent the SI joints from shifting too much. However, if the ligaments are designed (such as from osteoarthritis), worn down or injured by age, the SI joints will become more mobile than they ought to be. This causes pain to the lower back and to the pelvis. In the same way, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, a specific type of back condition, also causes pain of the lower back.
Sacroiliac belts are designed to provide compression around the waist and hip area of the body. These belts prevent the affected joints from excessive movement. You need to wrap the belt around the pelvis and tighten it using laces on the back or side of the hip/waist/rib brace.
2. Lumbosacral Belts
On the other hand, lumbosacral belts are designed to pressurize the abdominals and reduce the stress and weight on your lower back. These types of braces provide the stabilization of the lumbar spine. By so doing, they create an environment that is optimal for healing such lumbar spine conditions as low back muscle strains.
Made using sturdy cotton, these belts are usually wrapped around the waist. They can also be adjusted easily using laces sewn into the back or side of the hip/waist/rib braces. The belts are also available in different sizes to ensure that they can provide the right level of support for different conditions affecting the lower back.
Special Considerations for Rib/Waist/Hip Braces
As far as possible, ensure that you always follow the specific instructions given by your doctor about the wearing of and care of your hip/waist/rib braces. Whether you need sacroiliac belts, lumbosacral belts, Hip Braces, Abdominal Binders, Hernia Support Braces, Rib Belts, or Hernia Trusses for the treatment of the low back pain you are experiencing, it is imperative that you understand that the brace will be most effective after you wear it as per the orders from your doctor.
Additionally, you might also want to consult with your primary orthotist about any questions you might have about the braces, how to wear them, how long you need to wear them, and any other thing you might want to know.
In conclusion, there are many different types of hip/waist/rib braces out there in the market today. The specific type of brace that will be used will depend on a wide variety of factors –include the diagnosis provided by your doctor, the location of the pain/injury, the cause of the pain/injury, and your specific body type and medical history.