Introduction
The Aircast Leg Brace was designed for the functional management of stress fractures and stable fractures of the lower leg. Most joint injuries heal better and faster if the injured joint can be used, while being protected against further injury. This concept is the basis of "functional management" — and is the principal behind the innovative designs of Aircast devices.
Functional management is the treatment of choice for improving outcomes, enhancing patient quality of life, and reducing health care costs. Aircast pioneered the functional management of ankle sprains by developing the Air-Stirrup® Ankle Brace— now the standard of treatment. Building on this philosophy, all Aircast products are designed to provide functional management of injuries of the foot and lower leg. Research confirms that the functional management of injuries, using Aircast devices, produces superior results.
Indications
• Tibial stress fractures (undisplaced)
• Fibular stress fractures (undisplaced)
• Stable undisplaced lower third fractures ( as part of graduated fracture management)
• Shin splints (having established the correct diagnosis in your patient e.g Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)
Information on Ordering
The Aircast "Leg Brace" is designed for your patients that are over 5' 2" in height. It is 39cm high. The "Small Leg Brace" is designed for those patients who are under 5' 2" in height. It is 33cm high. Do not forget to specify the side is either left or right.
It can be purchased with or without the anterior panel. Always read the instruction leaflet that accompanies the brace before application for your patient.
Innovations
• Semi-rigid, anatomically designed shells to stabilise and protect the leg
• Patented Duplex aircell system to enhance circulation and reduce swelling
• Pre-Inflated aircells for easy application
• Transfer of weight-bearing load to reduce causative forces of injury
• Easy fit in shoes for early protected weight-bearing
Tibial Stress Fractures
OrthopaedicsAndTrauma.com recommend the Aircast Leg Brace with Anterior Pad as an off the shelf and cost effective brace for patients with Stress Fractures as a cause of their shin splints.
OrthopaedicsAndTrauma.com points to the elegant prospective study by Professor Mark Batt from the University of Nottingham. " He used the Aircast Leg Brace with Anterior Pad, on the basis of successful studies of the pneumatic walker in these conditions, in a series of athletes. The study demonstrated there was fracture healing and return to usual activity at a mean of 12 months. This is good considering the diagnosis of these injuries is often delayed and they are particullary difficult to heal up". (Batt ME, Kemp S, Kerslake R. Delayed union stress fractures of the anterior tibia: conservative management. Br J Sports Med. 2001 Feb;35(1):74-7.)