DME Specialist

What is durable medical equipment?

Durable medical equipment is a term for a variety of braces and other supportive devices. Bracing helps stabilize and protect injured or weakened parts of your body while they heal, or it can also offer long-term support for chronic conditions.

The durable medical equipment braces Orthopaedic Institute of Dayton uses are a safe, noninvasive treatment that can help you avoid the use of strong prescription painkillers. This is important because as well as potentially causing serious side effects, opioid drugs are often highly addictive.

When might I need to use durable medical equipment?

You might benefit from using durable medical equipment if you have a condition such as:

• Arthritis

• Patellar (kneecap) injury

• ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear

• Muscle strain

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Plantar fasciitis

• Bulging vertebral disc

• Tendinitis

• Dislocated shoulder

Durable medical equipment helps to strengthen weakened tissues and joints, which alleviates pain, improves mobility, and helps you get the full benefits of your physical therapy program.

If you’re physically active, you might benefit from wearing durable medical equipment to protect your joints or muscles and help prevent sports injuries.

What types of durable medical equipment might I need?

Orthopaedic Institute of Dayton provides a comprehensive selection of durable medical equipment devices. Their braces fit most parts of your body, offering various levels of support.

Durable medical equipment braces made of neoprene are soft and flexible. They’re suitable for supporting your muscles and joints when you’ve suffered a mild strain or if you want to protect yourself from injury.

Stiffer durable medical equipment braces are more suited to severe injuries and providing postoperative support. These devices still have a degree of flexibility or come with hinges that enable you to move.

Stiff durable medical equipment braces typically consist of plastic or a metal like aluminum that’s very lightweight. These materials provide the support you need without putting extra stress on your joints and muscles.

Could I benefit from using durable medical equipment?

To assess whether you could benefit from using a durable medical equipment brace, your physical therapist at Orthopaedic Institute of Dayton performs an evaluation of your condition.

They can then fit you with a brace if it’s going to help with your pain and mobility issues. Your physical therapist shows you how to use your durable medical equipment device correctly, and you see them at regular intervals to make sure the brace is still fitting as it should.

To find out how Orthopaedic Institute of Dayton’s expertise in durable medical equipment could relieve your symptoms, call their office or book an appointment online today.