Drytex Playmaker Brace

Neoprene Playmaker Brace

Neoprene is a synthetic rubber material designed to be flexible, durable, and to resist breakdown by water. Neoprene has been used for over 75 years. In its application to braces and supports, it is very form fitting and resilient to the stresses placed on it.

Neoprene is a very popular material for cold weather sports such as skiing and snowboarding, and is used extensively in water sports.

Neoprene braces are ideal supports to provide uniform compression over an extremity such as the knee or elbow. Neoprene’s heat retention properties is preferred by some to help ease the pain of a joint due to arthritis and muscle strain.

The disadvantage of Neoprene is know to many parents who pick up their child’s brace, with an odor that is hard to describe and tolerate. Neoprene is not a breathable material, and therefore retains the sweat and perspiration of the skin at the surface. Many people have allergies to Neoprene, causing skin rashes, blistering, itching and more severe allergic reactions.

Elastic material is not a good alternative as it does not stretch like neoprene, nor does it have the compressive qualities and durability of neoprene.

DonJoy developed a material referred to as “Drytex” as an alternative to Neoprene.

Drytex is a material made of a Nylon core and Polyester Lycra fabric, which retains the durability and compressive advantages of Neoprene, but is breathable and non-allergenic.

Drytex braces are more comfortable to wear compared to Neoprene, with the absence of the foul odor usually associated with its counterpart.

So how do I tell the difference between the two materials?

Simply lift the material up to light and stretch the material. If light shines through, it is a breathable material. If there is no light seen, it is probably neoprene.

If you are in a warm weather climate, and participate in sports such as Basketball, Football, Soccer, Tennis and Golf, then Drytex is an alternative to Neoprene. If you have allergies to Latex and Neoprene, Drytex is an excellent choice for support.

This material is only found in select manufacturers like DonJoy. It usually is not found in retail stores.

It is important to consult with your treating doctor prior to purchasing any orthopedic brace. There are many choices to be made when deciding which knee brace to purchase.

Brace Shop Home Page

Braceshop.com Launches Expanded New Website

Coconut Creek, Fl., July 15, 2010 — The Brace Shop, LLC today launched its new and expanded medical supply website called Braceshop.com, the premiere online store for medical extremity braces, supports and rehabilitation products.  With its expanded features and customer friendly navigation, Braceshop.com continues to lead by example over all its competition.

The new site, which can be found at http://www.braceshop.com, helps patients, athletes, physicians, therapists and other medical facilities choose from thousands of name brands, quality knee braces, ankle supports and other therapy devices.

“The site was redesigned to meet the tremendous demand from our large customer base,” said Stephanie Bregman, marketing director of The Brace Shop, LLC. “Customers can easily navigate from a wide range of options from the type of brace required, manufacturer, the type of condition the patient is suffering from, or from the sport they are participating in. With the addition of Twitter, You Tube and Facebook, we are expanding our customer base and providing a wealth of information for all of our clients.”

As customers browse through the internet looking for products, they always seem to come back to The Brace Shop! There are hundreds of websites selling similar products.  Many customers become confused as to which product is best for them. “We make it easy for our customers to find the right product,” said Linda Medina, director of customer service. “In this difficult economy, customers demand great pricing and great service. We deliver both! That is the reason for our tremendous success.”

With over 1 million braces sold, it is no wonder The Brace Shop is the site where the Pro’s go.

About The Brace Shop, LLC

Based out of Coconut Creek, FL, The Brace Shop, LLC is a wholesale distributor and retailer of off-the-shelf extremity braces, supports and physical therapy and rehabilitation products.  By utilizing its tremendous buying power, The Brace Shop, LLC can offer special pricing not available in the retail environment.

The Brace Shop, LLC clients include athletes, sports teams, hospitals, schools, military bases and personnel, shipping all around the world. For more information, visit http://www.braceshop.com

Media/Analyst Contact:

Stephanie Bregman

Stephanie@braceshop.com

954-574-9720

The ASO Ankle Stabilizing Orthosis is one of the most popular ankle supports with coaches, trainers and physical therapists. The contoured tongue provides exceptional fit and is constructed of light-weight yet durable Cool Flex material.

This material also lines the inside back of the boot, providing increased comfort to the Achilles area. The polyester-cotton laces are strong and resist shrinking. The Elastic cuff closure decreases the amount of inversion possible.

The featured ballistic nylon straps wrap in a figure 8 configuration replicating ankle taping, and the ballistic nylon base provides tremendous strength to the brace. The brace is very low profile and will fit in any type of shoe. It is a great choice for preventing or treating ankle sprains. The longevity of brace and high quality control standards of MedSpec make this a great choice for all sports. The brace is made in the USA.

The ASO ankle brace is also available with medial and lateral plastic stays. This feature enhances proprioceptive protection by some patients and medical practitioners, especially during the acute phase of ankle sprain treatments.

I have found the ASO to be one of the most durable and adjustable of all the fabric style ankle braces. It is sometimes preferred over more rigid stirrup braces, because of the adjustability of the figure 8 straps. The tighter you pull on the straps, the more the ankle locks into place. This feature is lacking in many stirrup braces. With the added bulk of a stirrup brace, this is a great feature for sports that have tight fitting shoes, such as cleats.

So if you or your team is interested in a durable, adjustable and comfortable ankle brace, The ASO Ankle Brace by MedSpec is your best choice.  For more information on this brace including sizing information CLICK HERE.

It is always recommended to consult with your treating doctor to determine the correct brace for your orthopedic condition.

For more information on our full line of braces, go to www.braceshop.com or call us at (866) 325-8045.

The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is a ligament located inside the knee joint. It is one of the most important of four strong ligaments connecting the bones of the knee joint. The other three ligaments being the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) and Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL).

The function of the ACL is to prevent excessive forward movement of the lower leg bone (the tibia) in relation to the thigh bone (the femur), as well as limits rotational movements of the knee. Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are more frequent in females with between 2 and 8 times more females suffering a rupture than males. Skiers are more prone to ACL injuries due to twisting (torsional) falls, missteps and binding release issues. Improper condition also is a major cause of ACL and other ligament injuries.

The DonJoy Armor Extreme was designed for the most active of individuals. It offers many features that improve comfort and stability, without sacrificing support.

- A unique 4-Points-of-Leverage cuff and strap configuration, exerting a posterior force against the tibia, preventing anterior movement.

- A strong and lightweight 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum frame for medial / lateral control ensures maximum rigidity.

- Swiveling strap tabs on the frame accommodates changing leg and muscle positions.

- Anti-migration Supra Condyle Pad prevents slippage of the brace.

- Short Calf version to accommodate ski boots.

- Standard Polycentric Hinges for more natural knee range of motion.

- Silver-veined powder coat finish for maximum durability for the serious athlete.

- Optional Patella/Shin impact guards and calf pinch guard.

- Moldable, medial swooping frame for custom fit.

The Armor Extreme comes in a standard length and short calf for ski boot clearance. The brace also comes in a Ski version, which has a medial hinge deflector built into the inside hinge of the brace. This unique feature is for patients that wear two frames braces at the same time. The medial deflector prevents the hinges from catching when the knees are together, thereby preventing potential injury.

The Armor Extreme has been available for many years and has proven to be one of the most functional and supportive braces on the market. Donjoy is one of the largest brace manufacturers in the world and there products have been used by thousands of athletes. If someone requires a maximum supportive brace without customization, the Armor Extreme is one of the best choices in this very competitive market. For more information on this brace including sizing CLICK HERE.

It is always recommended to consult with your treating doctor to determine the correct brace for your orthopedic condition.

For more information on our full line of braces go to www.braceshop.com or call us at (866-325-8045).

Why do I need a cold therapy machine?

The two most common side effects of an orthopedic injury or surgery are pain and swelling. These conditions affect the healing process and can lead to longer rehabilitation times. Cold therapy is widely recognized as one of the most effective treatment methods to combat these issues.

Compared to ice and gel packs that provide intense cold over a small area & for a short period of time, requiring frequent trips to the freezer, cold therapy systems, such as the Polar Care 500 can deliver a continuous flow of cold therapy through circulation pads that are specifically designed for different body parts and applications.

The Polar Care 500 can deliver cold within a comfortable temperature range that allows for longer-term application according to your physician’s prescribed treatment protocol.

The Breg Polar Care 500 unit includes a low voltage submersible pump with in-line thermometer and flow valve for temperature control from 35-70 degrees. During use, the pump is submerged in the cooler and connected to a Polar Pad with self sealing couplings. A wall transformer provides power to the pump.

Easy-to-use temperature control gauge that allows for flexibility in adjusting the temperature of the continuous Cold Therapy pad between 35° – 70°. The motor for the Polar Care 500 has an industry-wide track record for reliability. All parts of the Polar Care 500 system can be individually replaced making it more economical to replace a worn out part.

At 11 quarts, the Polar Care 500 has the largest capacity cooler of any single-patient use, continuous Cold Therapy unit on the market and can provide 8 – 11 hours of continuous cold therapy.

Several accessories are available for the Polar Care 500 which enhances its use.

A “Y” adapter can be purchased that allow two extremities to be treated simultaneously. A wide selection of sterile and non-sterile pads are available to fit most every part of your body.

Polar Wraps can be wrapped around each of the Polar Pads, allowing patients to conveniently secure the pads to the affected area without using additional wraps or bandages. The Polar Wraps also control pad condensation.

The Breg Polar Care 500 has a 180 day warranty.

It is highly recommended that you consult with your treating physician before purchasing any cold therapy unit. This unit should only be used under direct supervision of a licensed health care practitioner.  For more information on the Breg Polar Care 500 CLICK HERE.

Cryotherapy should not be used by persons with Diabetes, Raynaud’s or other vasospastic disease, cold hypersensitivity, or compromised local circulation. Please visit our site at www.braceshop.com for more information on this cold therapy unit and other similar units or call us at (866) 325-8045.