How to choose an ankle brace by size. Ankle brace - overview of models and tips for choosing

The ankle brace is used at the stages of rehabilitation after injuries or operations, during the treatment of various diseases of the joints, as well as for prevention during sports training. For each case, one model or another is chosen. Which orthosis is right for you? Are there contraindications for its use? How to choose and wear such a bandage?

Why do you need an ankle brace?

The possibilities that the ankle brace provides are quite extensive. But in all cases the orthosis tightly fits the leg, eliminating excessive mobility of the problem joint. Its wearing is prescribed after operations, first of all, after arthroplasty (joint replacement with an implant), as well as after fractures and with joint instability.

The accessory is often used by professional athletes whose lower limbs experience excessive loads (heavyweights, cyclists, gymnasts, etc.). In this case, the product performs a preventive function, excluding injuries and sprains.

Types of ankle bandages

Any ankle brace tightly fits the lower leg, but the strength of the fixation depends on the model. As a standard, the product is selected taking into account the severity of the injury..

For minor injuries

Neoprene ankle or elastic bandage on the ankle joint are accessories that are used for minor injuries of the articular-ligamentous apparatus. Characteristic signs of such problems are small swelling in the joint area, slight pain, while the joint remains mobile, and the patient can easily transfer body weight to the injured leg.

Neoprene models perfectly retain heat, warm the injured area, improve blood circulation, relieve swelling and reduce pain. Often used for arthritis and rheumatism.

For moderate damage

A bandage with stiffeners is prescribed, which securely fixes the joint, limiting its mobility. This model is chosen when tumors appear, including strong ones, and in cases where the patient is hardly able to stand on the injured limb.

In case of severe injuries and after operations

The joint in the bandage is completely immobilized. At the same time, individual models may look like a plastic "boot", which excludes any mobility of the ankle. Such an orthosis often looks almost like a shoe and can be moved around in the later stages of recovery after surgery and a fracture. Very often, such a bandage is used after an ankle fracture.

For professional sports, an elastic ankle brace with silicone inserts will be an excellent solution. It fixes the leg a little better than a standard orthosis made of elastic fabric.

Bandages-splints can be taken out in a separate group. They are worn over cotton socks for the time specified by the doctor. The peculiarity of this product is that it is strictly forbidden to walk in it so they usually wear it at night.

Indications and contraindications for use

Depending on the type of orthosis, the following results are achieved during wearing:

compression fixation of the joint;
massage effect to improve blood circulation;
functional instability of the joint is eliminated;
the joint receives protection from damage during sports training;
puffiness decreases;
pain sensations are reduced after surgery or during exacerbations of chronic joint diseases (arthrosis, arthritis).

Caution should be taken when choosing an ankle brace for blood diseases, kidney failure and other diseases with swelling, as well as for diabetes. The presence of skin diseases can also limit the use of the accessory.

Which bandage to choose

Only the attending physician can answer the question of which ankle is suitable for the patient. To choose the most functional orthosis, the specialist will have to consider:

the nature of the injury or disease;
the presence or absence of chronic diseases;
age and weight of the patient;
tasks to be performed by the bandage.

And this is not a complete list of nuances, after analyzing which the doctor will be able to make an informed decision.

When choosing an ankle brace for sports, you should remember that the model should be high enough and capture the lower leg from all sides.

The size of any orthosis for the ankle is determined taking into account four parameters:

shoe size;
volume of the ankle (the narrowest part above the "bone");
lower leg volume (middle point between the knee and ankle);
ankle volume through the heel (through the point where the laces are tied at the sneakers).

If your measurements in centimeters fall between the two dimensions indicated on the packaging of a particular model, the smaller one should be preferred to ensure the desired level of compression.

Any shin compression bandage should be tried on before purchase to ensure that wearing it will not cause discomfort. Be sure to check the functionality of the buckles, lacing and fixing straps.

Some experts advise purchasing models made of fabric with special fibers that remove excess moisture from the skin to the surface of the bandage. And given that the sweat glands on the legs are quite active, such a recommendation is not unfounded.

A good bandage for the ankle joint after a fracture is one that is equipped with a pneumatic chamber. It allows you to control the condition of the injured area and quickly eliminate swelling and bruising.

How to wear a bandage

The mode of wearing the orthosis is determined by the doctor. Here are just some general recommendations.

You can't walk in tutors.
Preventive elastic bandages are used during training and during exacerbations of chronic diseases.
The elasticated ankle can be slipped under the sock and worn with shoes.
The total duration of wearing the orthosis should not exceed 6 hours(we are not talking about cases of permanent postoperative wearing).
Be sure to take breaks, that is, we wear 15 minutes, rest for 5 minutes.
Immediately for a long time to wear an elastic bandage is not worth it. It is better to gradually increase the time, starting with 10-15 minutes a day.

A wide range of products of this type makes it easy to choose the right option for a particular patient. The effectiveness of using an ankle brace will largely depend on the willingness to follow the doctor's recommendations.

Every day there is a heavy load on the legs, the ankle is especially often injured. Therefore, an ankle brace for sprains and other injuries is the first aid. Such bandages (or orthoses) are necessary in order to immobilize the joint and prevent the development of complications. If measures are not taken in time, deformation of the ankle may occur, accompanied by an increasing inflammatory process.

When is a fixative required?

Orthoses are used for the treatment and prevention of ankle diseases in both adults and children. Ankle brace may be required in the following situations:

with sprain or rupture of the ligaments of the ankle, dislocation;
with increased load on the lower limbs (during sports training or performing heavy physical work);
when you get a foot injury;
for rehabilitation during the postoperative period;
during the treatment of joint diseases (arthrosis, arthritis, etc.).

Wearing a retainer is prescribed by the attending physician. You should not make such a decision on your own, because you can harm your health. A fixing bandage is prescribed not only for the treatment of diseases, but also for preventive purposes.

The main task of the bandage is to fix the ankle. That is, the joint can move without deviating to the side. The use of a bandage has several advantages. Firstly, the possibility of injury to the ankle (if we are talking about prevention) is significantly reduced. Secondly, pain is reduced. In addition, the healing process is much faster. Another fixator on the ankle helps to avoid re-injury to the joint.

Retainer selection

When choosing an ankle brace, certain parameters must be taken into account:

nature of the disease and severity;
the size of the patient's ankle and its possible anatomical features;
the presence of concomitant diseases, for example, vegetovascular dystonia or skin diseases (allergies, scabies, eczema).

Bandages can be presented in soft, rigid and semi-rigid form. Each bandage is used in a specific case. In addition, soft bandages, in turn, are divided into several subspecies.

Soft (elastic). This option is used for the prevention of diseases, as well as the treatment of minor injuries. The retainer fits well around the ankle, providing reliable protection against possible damage. Elastic bandages will help people who have to spend a lot of time on their feet, as well as professional athletes (during training or competition).
Protective. One type of elastic bandage used for fractures. The bandage prevents microbes from entering the wound, has an antiseptic effect.
Drug. Such an elastic retainer helps the rapid healing of wounds.
If the patient suffers from hemarthrosis, a pressure elastic bandage is applied. It quickly stops bleeding. There is also a corrective fixator used to treat ankle pathologies, such as clubfoot.
Semi-rigid. This fixator is often used for minor injuries, sprains. Thanks to special straps, the brace can be securely fastened to the ankle.
Hard. Such a bandage is used in particularly difficult cases. The fixator is equipped with rigid side inserts (plastic, metal, silicone) that allow fixing the ankle in one position. In addition, such a bandage is equipped with belts or laces. Similar products are used after fractures, when the plaster has already been removed. Only a traumatologist can prescribe such an immobilizing bandage.

Sizing

To correctly determine the size of the bandage, certain measurements should be made. The first step is to measure the length of the foot. Next, determine the coverage of the lower leg, ankle and ankle. These indicators should be compared with the information indicated by manufacturers on finished products. Each manufacturer may have a unique dimensional grid, so you need to check the source data with the table provided.

When purchasing a retainer, remember that it cannot be worn around the clock. It is recommended to remove the bandage at least several times a day, treat the surface of the leg with an antiseptic and only put it on again after 30 minutes.

The orthosis must be put on in a sitting position. Getting used to a fixing bandage can take several weeks (and weaning too). If the orthosis is used to treat an injury, gradually increase the load on the injured leg, bringing it up to normal. As long as the leg heals, wear the brace for so long.

If a semi-rigid or rigid bandage is recommended for you to wear under your shoes, purchase comfortable sneakers a few sizes larger. So you will be as comfortable as possible. The health of the musculoskeletal system is the key to a quality life full of interesting events, so even minor injuries need timely treatment.

Lower back pain: what to do, causes, treatment, why lower back pain appears

Probably, every person knows what kind of well-being happens when the lower back hurts. The causes of the development of pathology are different, but they should not be taken lightly. Lower back pain is different: acute and dull, sharp, throbbing, aching or burning, girdle. In addition, it can be local or spread over the entire back.

Introduction

Back pain is also not the same. That is, it can develop gradually or appear unexpectedly, suddenly. If the pathology is not treated in time, the lower back will only hurt more.

If the lower back hurts, then the person’s well-being, as well as his ability to carry out any activity, worsens. Reaction to pain syndrome depends on many factors: the mental characteristics of a person, his age, the presence of concomitant diseases. But when the first symptoms of spinal diseases appear in the lumbar region, they cannot be ignored.

As mentioned earlier, the reasons that the lumbar region hurts are different. The fact is that the spine experiences enormous daily loads, which are not always distributed evenly. This can provoke the development of various pathologies.

Causes of pain in women

So, why does the lower back hurt in women, the reasons may be as follows:

Gynecological diseases: vulvitis, myoma, tumor of the internal genital organs, adnexitis. Most often, a woman has pain in the lower abdomen. Sometimes discomfort is given to the lower back. Moreover, the pain is felt both on the right and on the left. In addition, other symptoms may be present: the impossibility of pregnancy, the appearance of copious discharge, infectious processes localized in the vagina.
The state of pregnancy. Here, especially in the last trimesters, the load on the spine, especially on the lumbar region, is greatly increased. Lower back pain is quite natural and disappears soon after childbirth.
Menopause. An imbalance of hormones is to blame here, which provokes a violation of blood circulation in the pelvic organs. This age in women is characterized by a decrease in bone density, they develop osteoporosis.
The lower back can even hurt because of the increased suspiciousness of the woman. There are no pills for treatment. It is enough to undergo a course of therapy with a psychologist or psychotherapist.
The lower back hurts due to abortion, because after it stress occurs, the process of contraction of the uterus occurs, an inflammatory process appears, which is localized on the inner membranes of the uterus after their mechanical damage.
Menstrual cycle. Pain appears during the exit of the follicle from the ovaries, enlargement of the uterus during menstrual bleeding, due to problems in the reproductive system.

Back pain is much more common in women than in men.

What are the causes of low back pain in men and children?

In men, discomfort also occurs and pain develops in the lumbar region. The reasons for this condition are:

Features of professional activity.
Prostatitis. It is characterized by pain in the anus. Back pain is rare here. It can be provoked by general intoxication of the body.
Epidindylitis. This pathology is an inflammation of the epididymis. Actually, the lower back itself does not hurt, but discomfort can be given there.
Crick. The latissimus dorsi muscle is especially often damaged, which is why the lower back hurts.
Sports: bodybuilding, bodybuilding.
The development of metastases of oncological diseases of the genital organs. Most often, for this reason, the lower back hurts in men after 50 years.

Some problems in men appear due to the inability to properly distribute the load. Improper muscle tension can cause injury or other soft tissue damage.

Causes of back pain in children

Babies get sick sometimes too. There are such causes of the pathological condition:

Wrong posture. Incorrectly chosen shoes, an uncomfortable backpack, flat feet can provoke its development.
Hernia

It should be noted that the curvature of the spine in the early stages of development can be corrected with the help of physiotherapy exercises, so the disease cannot be started.

Why does the lower back hurt: common causes

In addition to diseases of the spinal column, other pathologies can also provoke pain syndrome:

Congenital malformations of the skeleton: splitting, irregular shape of the vertebral processes.
Appendicitis. Here the person has pain in the lower right part of the abdomen, although the pain may radiate to the lower back.
Cholecystitis.
Diseases of the small intestine. Since the nerve fibers of the lumbar region are affected in such a disease, a person may feel discomfort in this area.
Adhesions that appear as a result of surgery.
Pancreatitis. This pathology is characterized by girdle pain in the lower back. In addition, the patient has other symptoms: nausea, vomiting, plaque on the surface of the tongue, frequent constipation or diarrhea. At the same time, pain is not felt during palpation of the lower back.
Kidney disease.
Excessive body weight. No explanation is required here. A large mass negatively affects the lower back, as it puts a strong load on it.
tuberculosis of the bones.
Muscle inflammation. Here the lower back hurts due to a viral, bacterial or infectious lesion of the soft tissues. In addition, hypothermia can also provoke inflammation of the joints or muscles of the lower back. In this case, not only the back hurts, but also the body temperature rises. If the pathology develops too strongly, then even skin tissues can be involved in the process.
Neoplasm in the lumbar region (benign or malignant), which grows along the nerve fibers.

Read more about the common causes of low back pain in the program "Your Doctor":

Types of low back pain and their causes

So, the pain syndrome can be different: primary and secondary. In the first case, it appears due to damage to the musculoskeletal system, dystrophic and degenerative changes in it. As for secondary pain, it is usually provoked by pathologies not directly related to the lower back.

In addition, periodic and persistent pain can also be distinguished. The first type of pathology is associated with acute diseases, great physical exertion, as well as some physiological features. They, as a rule, do not bother a person after the elimination of the underlying disease, and can also be irradiating and giving.

Persistent lower back pain is caused by lesions of deep vessels, irreversible damage to the musculoskeletal system. With the help of treatment, such sensations can be eliminated for a while, but they return.

Constant pain has the following causes:

Scoliosis. The presented curvature of the spine is characterized by asymmetry of the shoulder line, impaired posture, deformation of the skeleton, the formation of a hump in the region of the ribs (it can be seen on the right or left). For a long time, scoliosis may not make itself felt. The disease can be classified as acquired and congenital.
Intervertebral osteochondrosis of the lumbar region. It includes several pathologies that have a degenerative-dystrophic character. Due to osteochondrosis, destruction and loosening of the articular cartilage surfaces, as well as bone tissue, occurs. At the same time, nerves are involved in the pathological process. Osteochondrosis can provoke the development of radiculitis of the lower back, hernia, protrusion of the intervertebral disc, sciatica.

Lumbago. This is a very sharp pain in the lower back, which appears due to destructive changes in the vertebrae. It can be felt when lifting heavy objects incorrectly. Most often it is diagnosed in men. This disease is characterized by the following symptoms: a significant limitation of movement in the lower back. If the disease is not treated in the early stages, then the destructive processes in the lower back will become irreversible.
Spondylosis. This process is natural and is characterized by aging of the joints of the lumbar region of the spine. That is, gradually there is a loss of mobility of the joints of the lower back due to their thinning.

Bechterew's disease (ankylosing spondylitis). Here the mobility of the joints of the lower back is lost. This disease is more often diagnosed in men and is a chronic inflammation. With such a pathology, the connective tissue grows strongly.
Osteomyelitis.
Osteoporosis. Due to the fact that the bone tissue is produced incorrectly, the exchange of calcium and phosphorus is disturbed, a decrease in bone density is noted, in which they are very easily damaged. Pathology develops in women in the postmenstrual period. In addition, it can be observed in children.
Leg length difference (more than 2-3 cm).
Rheumatoid arthritis. This disease is systemic. Most often it occurs in women. It is a chronic inflammatory process that develops in the joints of the lower back and affects the ligamentous, muscle or cartilage structures. The cause of the development of such an ailment is considered an autoimmune process.
Phlebothrombosis. This pathology is characterized by a complete or partial cessation of blood flow in the deep veins. At the same time, the lower back hurts after a long walk. Thrombophlebitis can also be attributed to this group of diseases.
Atherosclerosis of the last degree of development. It is more common in older men.

Naturally, such diseases require urgent medical attention and serious treatment. However, therapy only helps to relieve symptoms and slow down the development of the pathological process. Completely cure these ailments will not work.

Kidney damage as a cause of back pain

So, the kidneys are a paired organ that is responsible for the formation and excretion of urine from the body. If their functionality is impaired, then a person may feel pain in the lumbar region, and it is localized on the right, left or in the middle. Lower back pain due to such diseases:

Omission of the kidneys.
Renal failure. It is characterized by the fact that the presented organs lose the ability to form urine. The pain is sudden, and the patient's condition is rapidly deteriorating. Unpleasant sensations are expressed very strongly.
Pyelonephritis. It is characterized by the development of an inflammatory process in the pelvis, which also affects other structural elements of the kidneys. More often, pathology is diagnosed in female representatives. In this case, urination may not be disturbed.

Gout. It is considered a more male disease and is characterized by a violation of the metabolism of uric acid, which leads to the accumulation of its salts in the joints of the lower back. They lead to the development of the inflammatory process, which occurs gradually.
Renal colic.
diabetic nephropathy. It is more typical for men. This pathology is considered very complex, as it provokes damage to large vessels.
Glomerulonephritis. This disease is the development of an inflammatory process in the renal tangles.
Amyloidosis. It is a disorder of protein metabolism, in which pain appears only in the later stages of development.
Lupus nephritis. This is a lesion of the lumbar joints, which is very difficult to diagnose in the early stages of development.
Kidney disease. At the same time, the lower back hurts only in exceptional cases, and the location of the sensations is not precisely determined. They can be felt on the right, left or in the middle.
Hydronephrosis. With this disease, there is an expansion of the pelvis inside the organ. It often develops in young women. This pathology requires differential diagnosis.

Why does the lower back hurt when bending over?

So, the lumbar part of the spine is the center of the entire load of the human body. If a person cannot bend or unbend, and also feels discomfort when bending over, then this condition can be triggered by the following reasons:

Damage to a muscle or ligament. This is due to unmetered and excessive physical activity, hypothermia of the muscles. This pathology is characterized by sudden acute pain in the lower back. At the same time, discomfort does not go away even at rest. However, the inflammatory process in this case does not develop.
Damage to the cartilage or bone tissue of the lower back.
Inflammatory diseases internal organs.
Displacement of joints or individual vertebrae in the lower back. This happens due to injury or excessive physical activity. Pain syndrome appears in this case suddenly, however, at rest, discomfort is practically not felt.

Whatever the cause of back pain, it must be treated. Otherwise, pathological processes can become irreversible and lead to the destruction of the skeleton. These causes of back pain are the most common.

Aching pain in the lower back: features of the occurrence and ways to get rid of

This type of pain can be a symptom of a wide variety of diseases, so differential diagnosis is necessary to determine the exact cause. The accuracy of determining the diagnosis is influenced by a variety of factors: the localization of discomfort, the patient's age, human nutrition, the presence of bad habits, as well as body weight.

Aching pain in the lower back can have the following causes:

Physical exhaustion. To relieve discomfort, it is imperative to eliminate excessive stress on the spine and muscles. That is, for several days you will have to abandon sports training. In addition, the lower back needs to be warmed up. For this, a heating pad or special medical ointments are used.
Pregnancy. Feelings are especially pronounced in the last trimester. A prenatal bandage will help here, which will help relieve the load from the lower back.

Menstruation in women can also cause aching pain. It is necessary to treat such pain with antispasmodics: "No-shpa", "Spazmalgon".
Osteoporosis, osteochondrosis, posture disorder.
Arthrosis, arthritis, and intervertebral hernia.
Diseases of the genitourinary system.
Radiculitis.
Injury.

In order to determine the presented pathological condition, it is necessary to conduct a small test. First, the patient should stand up, straightening up and leaning against the wall. Next, you need to very slowly lower your chin and lean it against your chest. Now you should listen to your own feelings: discomfort will arise exactly where there is a problem (right, left or center).

If a person has back pain in the lumbar region, then there are actions that should not be carried out:

During an exacerbation of the disease, in no case should massage be done on the lower back - this can harm even more.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as other painkillers, should not be taken on their own. This disrupts the clinical picture and may prevent the doctor from making an accurate diagnosis.
Do not sleep on a soft mattress. It is better to use orthopedic types of mattresses for sleep: they are hard and will not allow the spine to be in the wrong position. This little thing will relieve severe pain.
In no case should you ignore the advice of your doctor.
It is not advisable to self-medicate. The cause of aching pain can be hidden in a serious illness that requires medical treatment and even surgery.

Painful sensations of a aching nature are most often observed in young women of reproductive age. In the event of the appearance of such a pain syndrome, it is necessary to be examined by a therapist, neurologist, vertebrologist, gynecologist and urologist. It may be necessary to consult other specialists.

Acute lower back pain

The next type of pain that a person can feel is acute. In another way, sensations can be called backache or lumbago. Most often, such a pathological condition is not considered an independent disease, but is only a symptom of some kind of disease.

Such unpleasant sensations may appear due to prolonged changes of a degenerative and dystrophic nature. More often, acute pain is diagnosed in people over the age of 30.

The cause of the lumbago is also hypothermia of the lower back. As a result, the muscles can be easily injured, which leads to swelling, inflammation and pain.

An acute stretching of the muscles of the lower back can provoke a backache. In this case, soft tissues spasm, which worsens the mobility of a person. In addition, a displacement of the vertebrae, a fall or injury to the lower back can cause very severe discomfort. Other causes of acute pain syndrome include: chronic diseases muscles and skeleton, which increase the load on the lumbar.

You can learn more about acute lower back pain in the video below:

Acute pain can completely deprive a person of mobility, as well as the ability to carry out any activity. It can be provoked not only by a lower back injury or illness, but also by overstrain of muscles or ligaments, improper weight lifting, scoliosis.

Attacks of pain can be very painful and painful. If they have begun, then it is not necessary to produce any self-treatment, it is better to call a doctor. However, after the acute period is over, it is necessary to undergo a course of therapy. Naturally, this must be done only after the true causes of the development of the pathological condition have been clarified.

If your lower back hurts, you need to do the following:

Immediately go to bed, and it is advisable to choose the most comfortable position. The mattress should be semi-rigid or hard. This will make it possible to relax the muscles and relieve spasm.
Use a local anesthetic. Ointments with a warming effect should be used with extreme caution.
If the local remedy was not effective, then in this case non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets (Movalis, Ibuprofen) are used. But their use should also be taken very carefully. That is, they should be taken only if the pain syndrome becomes unbearable.
Contact a doctor. Only he, after a thorough examination, will be able to prescribe the correct treatment.

If within 10 days the pain syndrome does not go away, then it is imperative to see a doctor, even if the patient already feels relief. The fact is that without timely treatment, discomfort will soon return, and its intensity may be greater.

Naturally, such a pathological condition cannot be left without attention. Acute lower back pain is eliminated with the help of non-steroidal drugs: Movalis, Ibuprofen. In addition, it is necessary to reduce the load on the lumbar spine. It is also advisable to limit your movements until the acute period has passed.

If NSAIDs do not help, then muscle relaxants are used, which make it possible to relieve spasm. A proven remedy is Sirdalud. For acute pain, it is better not to use heat or manual therapy. After the attack subsides, you need to start doing gymnastics. Exercises are done in the supine position. In this case, the amplitude of movements should be small, and the actions should be slow and careful.

Sharp back pain

If dystrophic changes occur in the intervertebral discs, then pain can be very sharp and pronounced. An intervertebral hernia is capable of provoking such a pathological condition.

In addition, osteoporosis (decrease in bone density due to impaired calcium and phosphorus metabolism), degenerative sacroiliitis (purulent-inflammatory process that is localized on the surface of the iliac-sacral joint) becomes the cause of sharp pain.

And there are such sensations due to a lower back injury, careless lifting of heavy objects, sedentary work or excessive physical exertion.

If the lower back hurts quite strongly or sharply, it is not always possible to immediately determine the source of discomfort. The sensations are very strong and intense. The duration of the pain syndrome is different. In addition to pain, the patient experiences a burning or tingling sensation. Discomfort may radiate to the hip area.

It does not matter which tissue is damaged: bone, cartilage or muscle. Any impact on it provokes the production of specific chemicals that act on nerve fibers that are sensitive to pain. The muscles that are around the spine spasm. If the negative effect on the tissues stops, then the discomfort should go away.

When your back hurts for a long time, you should definitely consult a doctor. If this is not possible, then the symptoms should be removed independently. For this, NSAID tablets or Paracetamol are used. These drugs are able to suppress the inflammatory process that causes discomfort.

Various physiotherapy procedures will also be useful, but they only give a temporary effect. During the implementation of the treatment, the position chosen for sleep, the way of performing the main actions, is of great importance. These parameters are selected by the doctor.

If the back hurts very badly and no pills help relieve discomfort, then an anesthetic can be injected into the joint. In any case, after the elimination of an acute attack, you should consult a doctor.

O different types lower back pain: acute, pulling and cutting tell in this video:

Drawing pain in the lower back: features of occurrence and elimination

Treatment of pathologies of the lumbar is best done after the causes and type of pain are clarified. You should also determine exactly when discomfort appears: when sitting, a person cannot straighten up or stand up.

Drawing pain in the lower back is a very unpleasant sensation. If the cause of this condition was an uncomfortable posture during sleep, then the discomfort will pass as quickly as it appeared. Just enough to change position. Such sensations can appear due to prolonged sitting in one place. In this case, the muscles just numb.

Dull pulling pain appears due to such reasons:

Spinal injury. In the early stages, damage does not make itself felt. However, this does not mean that problems can be avoided. Discomfort begins to manifest itself with a static load on the back. Further, pain sensations become permanent, a person is unable to straighten normally, feels discomfort when sitting and even moving. Over time, the pain syndrome covers the entire lower back.
Deformation or single injuries of the vertebrae.
Myositis is an inflammation of the muscle tissue in the lumbar region. It is provoked by heavy physical labor, hypothermia. A feeling of heaviness appears in the back area on the right or left. During the examination of the affected part or when moving, the discomfort increases.
Bechterew's disease. In this case, pulling pains in the lower back are felt closer to the sacral part, as well as in the groin due to arthritis of the joints of the spine. In addition to pain, this disease is also characterized by stiffness of movements. Attacks of pathology become more frequent over time. Pain syndrome is more often felt in the morning.

Diseases of the internal organs.
If the pain syndrome is localized not on the right, but on the left, then this indicates the presence of a pathology of the heart and blood vessels.
Pneumonia. If the causes of back pain are lung damage, then the patient has a feeling of ache in the lumbar region. Moreover, unpleasant symptoms often appear during coughing attacks.
menses in women. They can also cause nagging pain in the lower back. The fact is that during this period, a woman in an enhanced mode produces prostaglandin hormones, which are responsible for uterine contractions.

The type of pain presented can be constant or intermittent. Antispasmodics will help to remove them, as well as reducing the load on the lumbar region.

Girdle pain in the lower back

If the back hurts, it is necessary to determine the causes of discomfort, as well as its type. Girdle pain is characterized by the fact that it is transmitted to almost all tissues that are around the sore spot. Therefore, it seems to a person that unpleasant sensations cover the entire body in a circle.

Most often, the presented pain syndrome appears as a result of pathologies of the spine, especially lumbar osteochondrosis. In this case, you can only alleviate the patient's condition, since it will not be possible to completely get rid of this ailment.

You can also name other causes of girdle pain:

Damage to the internal organs that are located near the specified area. Often, discomfort occurs due to fibromyalgia.
Kidney diseases: cystitis, urolithiasis, neoplasm. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, a differential examination is required, including a urinalysis and an ultrasound procedure.
Pregnancy or pathology of the internal genital female organs (endometriosis, polycystic, uterine tumor).

Pancreatitis. In this case, in addition to the pain syndrome in a person, nausea, vomiting appear, body temperature rises.
Nerve root damage.

Naturally, no matter what the patient feels, the treatment should be prescribed by the doctor, who should be contacted first. Self-medication is not allowed here. Besides, folk remedies can only help with pain - to eliminate them. The very reason for their appearance will remain, and will provoke the appearance of new attacks.

And it is not always possible to warm up the affected area. If your back hurts, then alternative methods of treatment can only be used in combination with the therapy prescribed by the doctor. It may include taking antibiotics, digestive enzymes, antispasmodics, expectorants.

If the cause of the pain syndrome is diseases of the musculoskeletal system, then it is necessary not only to treat inflammation and pain, but also to try to stabilize the spinal column and strengthen the spinal muscles. That is, therapeutic exercises, swimming, physiotherapy, manual therapy and massage will be useful. Equally effective is cupping vacuum massage, which can be used even at home.

In some cases, a spine traction procedure is required, the use of special orthopedic devices.

Additional symptoms

So, in order to find out why the lower back hurts, you need to pay attention to the accompanying symptoms:

With sprains, spasmodic pain is felt, the movement of the muscle group that has been damaged is limited. In addition, discomfort can spread to the back of the limbs, as well as the buttocks.
When the nerve roots of the lower back are damaged, a feeling of numbness of the extremities appears.
If the pain syndrome provoked any disease, then the symptoms will increase their intensity gradually.
Additional symptoms include palpitations, dilated pupils, fever, and increased sweating.

Features of diagnostics

So, in order to find out what to do if your lower back hurts, you need to undergo a thorough examination, which includes the following procedures:

Laboratory examination of urine and blood. In addition, you will need a biochemical blood test.
Ultrasound of the heart and internal organs of the abdominal cavity (if there is a suspicion that dull pain was caused by diseases of the kidneys or the gastrointestinal tract).
Radiography of the lumbar spine.
MRI and CT. These studies are the most informative, and allow you to determine the cause of the development of pain, the condition of the spine and soft tissues surrounding it.
Examination of blood vessels - dopplerography.

Thanks to such an examination, it is possible to determine what caused the pathology, when it began to develop, and how to get rid of it.

What to do and what not to do when you have back pain?

Throbbing or dull pain in the lower back is a rather unpleasant phenomenon that not only prevents a person from working and moving normally, but also does not allow a person to rest. If the pain syndrome appeared suddenly, the following measures should be taken:

It is better to take a horizontal position, and the mattress should be semi-rigid so that the spine maintains the correct position.
Now you need to try to relax your muscles and calm down. Psychosomatics can also affect the state of the body. That is, any stressful situations should be excluded.
You can take painkillers, although it is advisable to try to do without them before the arrival of the doctor, so as not to smooth out the clinical picture of the pathological condition.

If necessary, you need to fix the lumbar region to limit its movement. In addition, it is important to measure the basal body temperature. If it is elevated, we can talk about the beginning of the inflammatory process. You should also try to record all the accompanying symptoms that you can tell the doctor about.

Elena Malysheva tells how to get rid of lower back pain in the Living Healthy program:

It is also important to remember what not to do:

To eliminate pain in the lumbar region, do not use heat. A heating pad can only aggravate the pathological process, cause its exacerbation.
It is not advisable to take pills if the cause of the pain syndrome is unclear or if it is protracted.
It is strictly forbidden to treat the lower back with manual therapy or to resort to the reduction of the vertebrae. The fact is that pain can appear not only due to damage to the musculoskeletal system.

It is important to contact a specialist in a timely manner. The patient may need to consult such a doctor: a general practitioner, orthopedist, vertebrologist, infectious disease specialist, pulmonologist, surgeon, traumatologist, chiropractor, and even a cardiologist.

How to relieve back pain in a pregnant woman?

It is known that during pregnancy, the body of a woman experiences too high loads. The spine feels them first. In order to eliminate the pain syndrome, you must follow these rules:

Be sure to wear a prenatal bandage, which will remove a significant part of the load on the lower back.
You definitely need to rethink your diet. It should contain the required amount of calcium, phosphorus and other useful substances. That is, a pregnant woman should not give up meat, fish, nuts.
Physical activity should be kept to a minimum.
While sitting, you can perform simple physical exercises, allowing to strengthen the muscles, relieve tension from them. In this case, sudden movements should not be made.

Since a pregnant woman should spend as much time as possible in the fresh air, during walks one should wear shoes without heels, on a comfortable rise.
If your lower back hurts after sleeping, you need to pay attention to the mattress and pillow. Here it is better to use orthopedic products.
To strengthen the muscles, you can sign up for a swimming section.

Medical treatment for back pain

When a person experiences aching pain in the lower back when sitting or moving, and it does not matter at all whether they are localized on the right or on the left, he tries to get rid of them as quickly as possible. First you need to find out why the pain syndrome appeared. In addition, it is not always possible to cope with it at home. The help of specialists is often required.

So, to eliminate stabbing or other types of back pain, the following medications are used:

Tablets

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Movalis, Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Meloxicam.
Muscle relaxants: Baclofen, Tizanidin. But they should be used only if NSAIDs have not given the desired effect.
Narcotic analgesics: Tylenol, Vicodin, Codeine. They can only be prescribed by a doctor. Self-treatment of pain in this way is not recommended, as these drugs can be addictive. In addition, the presented funds are sold only by prescription.
Corticosteroids: Methylprednisolone, Prednisone, Dexamethasone.
Chondroprotectors: "Teraflex". These drugs contribute to the restoration of cartilage tissue and slow down its destruction.

Ointments, gels or creams

These drugs can eliminate discomfort by applying them directly to the place where the pain is localized:

NSAIDs: "Ketonal", "Fastum Gel", "Finalgel".
Ointments, the main active ingredient in which is diclofenac: Diclovit, Voltaren.
Combined funds: "DIP relief", "Dolobene".
Local irritating ointments: "Apizartron", "Finalgon". They are indispensable in the treatment muscle pain, as they are able to act on blood vessels, expanding them. As a result, nutrition and metabolic processes in tissues improve.
Chondroprotectors: "Chondroxide".

Injections

They are used only if the previous groups of drugs could not provide the necessary assistance. The blockade is done directly in the lumbar region. For this, the following drugs are used: Milgamma, Pyridoxine, Chondrogard.

Medical plasters

This tool has recently become very popular. The fact is that such a patch is impregnated with a drug that is necessary in one case or another. You can use it at home. In addition, the patch is very easy to use. It can be used both in summer and winter. Under clothing after gluing the patch is not visible at all. It does not take up much space in the bag. With the help of a patch, discomfort can be eliminated very quickly. The risk of drug overdose or irritation is very small. There are such medical plasters: "Nanoplast Forte", "Ketonal thermo", "Voltaren". However, there are other types of products. For example, the Chinese produce herbal analogues of medical patches: Miaozheng, Black Jade, ZB PAIN RELIEF

So, for the treatment of pain in the lumbar region, various medications can be used, but they are only part of complex therapy.

The benefits of physiotherapy

When a person has a shooting pain in the lower back when moving or sitting, his life becomes uncomfortable. Naturally, this problem should be dealt with. In this case, not only tablets are used.

The effectiveness of physiotherapy cannot be overestimated. It enhances the effect of drugs. So, the following methods of physiotherapy will be useful:

Paraffin applications. They are able to perfectly warm the affected area of the back. The procedure is not complicated. Warm wax is applied to the skin in layers. The total thickness of the application should be 1 cm. Further, it is covered with polyethylene and a warm woolen cloth. It is necessary to keep such an application for at least an hour, and the duration of the course is 10-30 days, depending on the type and severity of the pathology.
Physiotherapy. It makes it possible to strengthen muscle tissue, recover faster. In addition, exercise is invaluable in preventing the recurrence of seizures. The following actions will be useful: arching the lower back up and down, standing on all fours; twisting; arching the back to the side.

Massage for back pain can work wonders. However, it should be done very carefully. Massage is not used at the stage of exacerbation of the pathology. The area to the right or left of the source of pain is treated. Movements should be soft. It is better to give preference to an experienced massage therapist who will not increase discomfort. During the massage, the following techniques are used: stroking, rubbing with fingertips, kneading the muscles.
Mud cure. It produces a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, and is also able to eliminate pain.

In addition, the disease can be treated with the help of non-traditional methods. For example, manual therapy, acupuncture can relieve spasm and tension in the muscles, strengthen the skeleton.

Traditional treatment for back pain

The back can hurt both on the right and on the left. However, in any case, throbbing pain in the lower back has appeared or some other, it must be treated. If it is already known why the pain syndrome appeared, and if the pathology is not very serious, then you can fight it at home. Here are some recipes to help:

Joint treatment More >>

Pour a glass of boiling water over such herbal collection: thyme, St. John's wort, black elderberry flowers, chamomile. Take a teaspoon of each herb. After half an hour, the infusion will be ready for use. Soak a handkerchief in the liquid and apply it to the place where it hurts. This compress should be kept for 1 hour.
Ointment based on garlic. One head of garlic is used, crushed to a state of gruel. The resulting product is mixed with a few grams of petroleum jelly and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Ready ointment can be smeared on the place where the back hurts.
Mustard bath. To prepare it, you need 200 grams of mustard powder. After the patient takes a bath, he should rinse with clean water, dry himself well and wrap himself up.
Honey-vinegar compress. To prepare it, you will need a tablespoon of honey and vinegar. Next, a well-mixed slurry must be put on a cabbage leaf, applied to a sore spot and tied with a warm scarf.

Grate horseradish or radish on a fine grater, mix with sour cream and put on a dry thin cloth. Further, the compress is applied to the place that hurts, and fixed with a warm scarf.
Dried burdock leaves should be poured with boiling water and tied to the lower back with a warm scarf. Such a compress lasts at least an hour.
Honey rub. The movements should be intense, but not very pressing, so that the patient does not feel discomfort. Only in this case it is possible to normalize blood circulation in the tissues, as well as improve the tone of blood vessels.
Alcoholic tincture of eucalyptus. It is great for relieving back pain. It is only necessary to rub well the area in which the pain is felt.
Beet compress. It is necessary to take a medium-sized vegetable and grate it together with the peel on a fine grater. In this case, the juice must be squeezed out, and the resulting cake mixed with a tablespoon of kerosene. The resulting mixture should be put on a napkin and applied to where it hurts the most. Polyethylene and a warm scarf are applied over the compress. You can keep the compress all night.
It is necessary to purchase a bag of white incense, mix with a tablespoon of grated laundry soap, two egg yolks, previously whipped into a thick foam. Next, the gruel is applied to a clean woolen cloth, which should be wrapped around the back in the lumbar region.

Folk remedies are very effective, but they cannot be considered a panacea.

Preventive measures

If you know why back pain appeared, it is necessary to treat them. However, it is better to follow preventive measures that will help avoid premature destruction of the skeleton. It is better to follow the following recommendations of doctors:

Regularly perform physical exercises aimed at strengthening the musculoskeletal system. In this case, you need to evenly load all muscle groups. For gymnastics, 15-20 minutes a day is enough.
It is advisable to watch your posture.
It is necessary to strengthen the immune system, lead a healthy lifestyle.
Every year, you need to undergo preventive examinations with doctors in order to identify a developing disease at an early stage.
It is advisable to adjust the diet.
Maintaining the water-salt balance will save the body from many problems. A person should drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day.
It is advisable to try to protect yourself from stress and nervous shocks. Pichosomatics can cause various diseases of the internal organs or the spine. Therefore, stressful situations should be avoided. If the cause of the pathology is psychosomatics, then treatment requires consultation with a psychologist or psychotherapist.

Now almost every user knows how to get rid of lower back pain. You need to understand one rule: self-medication is harmful. In any case, a doctor's consultation is required.

The video shows exercises for lower back pain.

The ankle brace tightly fits the joint, provides compression and massage effects, protects the joint during sports training, reduces swelling and pain in case of leg injuries, after operations, as well as during exacerbation of arthrosis, arthritis, rheumatism and other diseases of the ankle joint.

If the ankle does not provide the proper level of support or is not properly sized, it will only delay the healing process and create the prerequisites for the recurrence of the injury. Therefore, it is important to remember that only a doctor can choose a semi-rigid and rigid orthosis! On their own, without a prescription, only ankles of easy fixation are selected to alleviate the syndromes of arthrosis and arthritis, prevent herbs and reduce pain in the slightest injuries of the lower leg.

To determine which ankle brace you need and whether you can fit it yourself, you need to determine the severity of the injury. There are three degrees of damage to the articular-ligamentous apparatus of the foot:

1. Lightweight. Signs: no swelling or slight swelling, mild pain, mild restriction of movement, the patient can walk and fully transfer body weight to the injured limb. The recommended ankle type is an elastic or neoprene ankle that provides the right level of compression and does not restrict joint movement. You can pick your own!

2. Average. Signs: swelling (from mild to severe), moderate (tolerable) pain, moderate limitation of movement, walking and transferring weight to the injured limb is difficult. The recommended type of ankle is an ankle that compresses the joint and provides its fixation with stiffeners. Appointed by a doctor!

3. Heavy. Signs: severe swelling and hematoma, severe pain, complete restriction of movement, the patient cannot transfer weight to the injured limb. The recommended type of ankle is the ankle, which provides complete immobility of the ankle joint. Appointed by a doctor!

When choosing an ankle brace for easy fixation, you need to pay attention to the material from which it is made. Ankles with the addition of neoprene retain heat well, warm, accelerate blood flow, help relieve swelling and pain in case of arthrosis, arthritis, rheumatism. For allergic reactions to synthetic fibers and sensitive skin, it is better to choose ankle boots with a high cotton content.

Elastic ankles with silicone inserts provide a little more fixation and compression, which is important during heavy physical exertion and in sports. Also, in order to prevent sports injuries, elastic ankle orthoses with additional Velcro straps have proven themselves well. The main thing to remember when choosing an elastic ankle for sports training is that it should completely wrap around the joint from all sides and be high enough.

The size range of ankles varies depending on the brand, but in general there are 4 parameters that determine the size of this orthosis.

Shoe size
Ankle circumference. Measured above the bone at the narrowest part of the ankle
Leg circumference. Measured between the knee and ankle (in the middle)
Ankle circumference through the heel. In order to measure this parameter, you need to place the foot firmly on the floor, attach a flexible tape to the edge of the heel and measure the circumference of the ankle at an angle, as shown in the figure. Measure below the bone.

If your parameters are on the border of two sizes, then in the case of the first three parameters, you should choose a smaller size, because if you choose a larger size, you risk not getting the desired level of compression.

Unlike orthoses, an ankle brace is an elastic product that cannot immobilize. Its key function is to support the joint during intense loads and during the rehabilitation period after injuries and operations.

The advantages of wearing such calipers are obvious:

Reliable fixation and support of the joint in order to protect it from damage;
Unloading the ligamentous apparatus of the ankle joint;
Can be used both during training and in everyday life due to the lightness and thinness of the material;
Excellent landing on the foot, not causing discomfort;
Reducing the recovery period after injuries and surgical interventions by 2-3 times;
Hypoallergenic materials, eliminating side effects from wearing products (irritation, allergies).

To choose a high-quality and effective ankle brace, you need to carefully study its properties. Consider the main parameters that you should focus on.

Ankle bandage: main characteristics

The elastic ankle brace is an external medical device for individual use. It is a soft, stretchy "sock" or wide band that wraps around the ankle in a criss-cross pattern.

The main characteristics of modern models are described below. A bandage on a sore ankle may have only a few of the listed qualities, and completely different combinations are possible. Due to this diversity, patients can find the best options for specific cases.

Elastic material

The modern ankle brace is made from blended fabrics with excellent performance. They stretch well, but at the same time remain elastic. Do not deform after washing, do not become covered with spools and do not peel off, keeping a neat appearance for a long time.

All these properties have become possible due to the addition of the following synthetic materials to natural cotton fibers:

Neoprene is a flexible, elastic material that has a warming effect due to its density. Provides reliable fixation of the joint in one position, activating the blood supply to the tissues. These properties speed up metabolic processes and reduce the recovery period. However, the inability to pass air makes it necessary to reduce the life of neoprene products.
Polyester is a durable material that retains its shape even after prolonged use. Dries quickly and does not shrink after washing. Resistant to dirt. Poor breathability precludes the production of bandages from polyester alone, but adding it to the fabric makes it more durable and strong.
Polyester is a modern substitute for cotton, which does not cause allergies and skin irritations. This is the optimal component for an elastic bandage, since it has the advantages of a natural fabric, but at the same time it is highly durable and durable.

Impact on the ankle

How does an ankle brace perform its functions? All thanks to the three types of effects that it has on the joint:

The compression effect is a "smart" compression, due to which the operation of the valves of the vessels and the stimulation of the blood supply are activated. The efficiency of the muscular-venous pump increases and the amount of venous blood in the legs decreases. Consequently, microcirculation and nutrition of the musculoskeletal structures and soft tissues improves. The compression effect is useful with a tendency to edema and heaviness in the legs, with prolonged physical labor or intense training.
Micromassage effect - stimulation of blood flow and lymph flow in tissues due to the surface effect of the relief fibers of the material on the skin. It is indicated for numbness of the legs, to speed up recovery after injuries and surgical interventions.
The warming effect helps to relax the muscles and ligaments, as well as the joint itself. This effect relieves pain, relieves local inflammation and reduces swelling. An ankle bandage with a warming effect is especially useful in chronic diseases.

You should not buy a product that combines three effects at once, especially if the purpose of wearing is simple prevention. Before buying, consult your doctor. Only a specialist will be able to give competent recommendations based on the characteristics of your history.

Degree of fixation

This is one of the most important parameters that determines the degree of support and the level of tension, the force of impact on the joint.

Soft/Low is the most common setting for an elastic ankle brace. Such products do not contain additional solid elements and fasteners. Usually they are in the form of a tight-fitting thin sock.

Semi-hard/medium. Such an ankle brace has elastic plastic stiffeners, usually located on the sides. With their help, it turns out to limit the movement of the foot in the process of walking. Usually, a bandage for the operated ankle has such characteristics, since its main task is to provide maximum rest for the correct recovery of the joint.

Adjustable - products that are more complex in design, the tension force of which can be varied. At the disposal of the patient are special fasteners and belts that allow you to adjust the level of fixation depending on the needs. Some models have stiffeners that can be pulled out. These products are convenient to wear during rehabilitation, when the state of the joint is gradually changing and requires different conditions.

Fixing elements

Along with the complete absence of fixing elements, the ankle brace can be equipped with the following fasteners:

Lacing is not a very popular option, which is more typical for semi-rigid models. The fact is that it provides a more reliable fixation.
Velcro fasteners are convenient for adjusting the degree of tension, especially when recovering from injuries and operations.

The choice of type of fixative is a matter of taste and personal preference.

Degree of openness

The bandage on the ankle joint can have one of two styles:

Open toe, closed heel. Ankle prophylactic bandage of this type is worn in cold weather.
Open heel and toe. Such products are convenient to wear in the summer and during training, as they provide additional comfort and ventilation of the foot.

Purpose

Doctors prescribe wearing an ankle brace in the following cases:

Instability of the ankle in a chronic form;
Ankle hypermobility;
Ankle sprain;
myalgia;
Myositis;
Osteochondropathy;
Osteoarthritis;
tendovaginitis;
Bursitis;
Recovery after injuries and operations on the ankle;
Prevention of injuries in sports and physical labor.

Below you will find several videos presenting various bandages of domestic and foreign manufacturers.

The size

To choose the right ankle brace, you need to measure the ankle circumference using a tailor's centimeter. Approximate correspondences of measurements and sizes, indicated in Latin letters, are presented in the table.

Keep in mind that manufacturers' sizing charts vary. Accordingly, two products marked L on the packaging from different brands may differ significantly in size. Therefore, it is very important to check the size chart of a particular manufacturer and try on the product before buying.

Contraindications

In addition to the expressed positive effect, an ankle brace can be harmful in specific situations. It is forbidden to wear it in the presence of the following diseases:

Phlebitis;
arterial occlusion;
Venous ulcers;
Skin diseases (allergic rashes, psoriasis, etc.);
Trophic ulcers on the background of diabetes mellitus.

In addition, it is impossible to wear a bandage on the ankle joint if there are unhealed wounds and cuts on the skin.

Rules for use and care

In order for the compression bandage on the ankle joint to bring only benefit, it is important to follow the rules for its operation and the individual recommendations of the attending physician. Remember a few postulates:

The duration of the socks directly depends on the specific case. If you need to prevent injuries at work or in sports, then you should wear an ankle brace only during intense exercise. In rehabilitation, the time of operation depends on the complexity of the injury and the stage of recovery.
First you need to get used to the bandage. You should not wear it for the prescribed time from the first day. Start with 10-15 minutes a day and gradually increase the wearing time until recommended by a specialist.
If you have any complaints or change in health during the operation of the bandage, immediately consult a doctor. This applies to any skin rashes, swelling, discomfort and pain.

The soft ankle brace should be washed regularly to avoid skin irritation and diaper rash. It is recommended to do this manually in warm water with a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees.

Dry products only in a straightened form. It is advisable to do this on a horizontal surface, and not on a dryer in a vertical position. And it is very important that there are no heating devices nearby.

In conclusion, it is important to note that an elastic ankle brace can be purchased without a doctor's prescription, but it is highly recommended to consult a specialist. Still, this medical device has a number of contraindications that must be excluded.

The ankle joint is heavily loaded and easily injured. To unload it, as well as to prevent the risk of injury, orthopedics offers special calipers that differ in materials, degree of fixation, price range, which can vary greatly from 500 rubles. up to 20 thousand. Therefore, you need to know what to look for when buying them.

The ankle joint has a complex structure, it is responsible for the mobility of the foot. Despite the fact that it is smaller than other joints of the lower extremities, it bears heavy loads and is often injured. To reduce the load on it, as well as reduce the risk of damage, it is recommended to use an ankle caliper.

What are calipers for?

The ankle support helps to fix and protect the joint. It can be used to treat and prevent injuries and diseases of the ankle.

The main functions of the caliper:

reduces stress on the joint;
reduces the risk of injury;
relieves pain, as it reduces the amount of movement in the joint;
accelerates the healing of the tendon-ligamentous apparatus;
eliminates puffiness;
has a warming effect.

Indications for the use of the caliper are the following conditions:

rehabilitation period after surgical treatment and removal of plaster;
ankle hypermobility;
arthritis, osteoarthritis, stretching of the tendon-ligamentous apparatus;
excessive stress on the ankle, for example, during sports;
congenital anomalies of the foot and ankle.

athletes and all those who have heavy loads on their legs;
pregnant women, in order to prevent diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
patients who have suffered an ankle injury or suffering from ankle diseases.

Wearing a caliper should be coordinated with a specialist, since only a doctor can choose it correctly depending on the indications. In addition, you need to know that it is impossible to use a bandage if you are allergic to an orthopedic product, thrombophlebitis, thromboembolism, arterial obstruction, trophic and venous ulcers, dermatological diseases at the place where the fixator is worn.

Varieties

Calipers differ in fixation strength:

Elastic

An elastic or soft bandage is recommended to be worn for prevention or for mild injuries of the ankle, in which there is slight swelling and mild pain. As a rule, such orthopedic dressings are made of neoprene. They will allow you to maintain the mobility of the joint and at the same time reduce the load on it. Neoprene retains heat well, normalizes blood circulation in the damaged area, eliminates swelling and pain. Due to its qualities, bandages made of this material can be worn for rheumatism and inflammation of the joints.

semi-rigid

Semi-rigid calipers are recommended to be worn for moderately severe injuries, when there is severe swelling of the ankle and a person cannot step on the injured leg due to pain. Such orthopedic products have stiffening ribs and belts for reliable fixation of the joint.

Rigid

Rigid clamps look like a "boot", they are made of plastic. They immobilize the ankle completely. They are recommended for use after surgical treatment and fracture.

Splints

Splints are put on cotton socks and worn for the time indicated by the doctor. It is forbidden to walk in them, so they are usually worn at night.

How to choose a support?

When choosing an orthopedic product, it is worth considering:

the nature and severity of the pathological process;
individual anatomical features of the leg;
the presence of an allergy to the material;
the presence of concomitant diseases;
the material from which the bandage itself is made, rigid inserts (does it allow air, moisture to pass through);
type of fixing fasteners;
does it rub orthopedic leg product.

It is important to choose the right ankle caliper in size, otherwise, too large an orthopedic product will not fix the joint and there will be no benefit from it, and too small a bandage can only aggravate the pathology.

To choose the size of the ankle brace, you need to measure:

foot size;
ankle circumference, measured above the "bone";
ankle girth through the Achilles tendon (through the point where shoelaces are tied);
leg circumference (measured in the middle).

After that, it is necessary to compare the obtained figures with the dimensions presented on the packaging of the orthopedic product.

It must be remembered that each manufacturer has its own table of bandage sizes.

Popular manufacturers and prices

A wide range of ankle calipers is on sale, which differ in the degree of fixation, materials, manufacturer, and cost.

An ankle support is a reliable and effective tool for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the articular-ligamentous apparatus, but you need to choose the right orthopedic product.

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