Hip Brace
Finding the Right Hip Brace for You
A hip brace can help give support and decrease the stress to the hip area, helping with not only problems with the hip but with the knee and back as well. It is important, however, that you choose the right kind of hip brace for your condition. Your brace should not only fit your specific dimensions but should match your specific conditions since having a brace that is too big or not of the right kind may not only not help your condition, but could, in some cases, exacerbate your problems, increasing pain and extending recovery times.
Support Braces
One of the most common types of problems that occur with age is a hip fracture. As we age the chances of breaking a hip increase. When this happens, the recovery process can be long and painful and having a support brace can make all the difference. Not only does a support brace relieve some of the pain associated with recovery, it also helps hold the hip in place so that the injury does not recur.
Braces of this kind can be a bit more expensive than other kinds, but the difference is well worth it. You should look for a support brace that has both a belt and a thigh section. The belt wraps around the waist so the sufferer can have some relief from gravity and better distribute the weight that goes to the thigh. The second section of the stabilizing hip brace wraps around the thigh all the way to the knee offering both compression and hold. The two sections should be connected by a flexible pad that allows mobility without sacrificing too much stability. The device should also be well-crafted enough that it can fit under loose fitting clothes.
Prenatal Braces
If you suffer from knee problems and are pregnant, then you may want to invest in a prenatal brace. These kinds of braces help give extra support for the knees and hip during pregnancy. They are specially designed however, not to put extra strain on the pregnant woman’s changing body. There are several varieties and designs, many of which fit inconspicuously beneath even snug clothing.
Hip Splint
The other option for post-operative recovery is a hip splint. The benefit of a hip splint is that it will increase recovery time significantly. This is because the splint will firmly reduce the mobility of the hip. The device works via two thighs pads that wrap around both thighs snuggly. A middle section in between the thighs connects the pads and locks them in place insuring that the hips do not undergo strain.
The obvious drawback of this device is that it severely reduces mobility and is virtually impossible to wear underneath clothes. For older patients who are not supposed to undergo a great deal of activity this may be the ideal device, but many individuals that are more active may find the restrictions to mobility unacceptable.
Compression Brace
If the problem to your hip has more to do with a hamstring pull or some other kind of pain related issue (as opposed to a surgical issue) then a hip brace specifically designed to create pressure on the affected area may be the way to go. These athletic compression braces allow the individual to retain mobility while keeping the muscles and organs in the upper thigh tightly packed so that strains are more evenly distributed throughout the leg.
Regardless of your medical problem, you should be sure to consult with your health professionals, be they doctors or physical therapists, to help inform yourself about your choices and come to a well-thought out decision about your health needs.