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

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.

Wrist injuries in tennis usually are due to overuse. Like the more common “tennis elbow”, these conditions develop due to chronic repetitive movements, quick wrist motions and/or poor technique.

Wrist injuries usually involve inflammation of the tendons (tendonitis), nerve irritations (carpal tunnel syndrome), and in more serious cases, stress fractures and ligament tears.

Golf injuries primarily involve tendonitis of the left hand. Overuse and poor swing technique also contribute to this condition. A tight grip of the club also causes tendon issues such as De Quervain’s Disease.

In both sports, rest, ice, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and in some instances cortisone injections are necessary to improve the condition.

If injury is not severe, and you must keep playing, applying ice for couple of days and the use of a brace like the DonJoy Boomerang may keep the condition in check and prevent further injury.

The Boomerang Wrist Support is a unique design. It is a wrap-around style that provides compression and support, without being heavy and restrictive. It is ideal for mild wrist sprains and strains in both golf and tennis. The brace allows the athlete to grip the golf club and tennis racquet with the thumb and fingers. There is no metal or plastic inserts that can impede natural movement of the wrist.

The brace is universal in size and fits left or right wrists. As a wraparound brace, the patient can adjust the tension and support level of the brace simply by wrapping it more snug around the wrist and palm of the hand. A thumb loop keeps the brace in place and prevents slippage.

Another great feature of the brace is that it comes in two different materials. Neoprene material provides excellent compression and warmth. Drytex material is a lycra nylon material that is breathable and durable, without sweat retention.

Whichever material you choose, The DonJoy Boomerang Wrist Support is an excellent choice for those mild wrist injuries, and great for golf and all racket type sports. For more information on this brace and sizing information CLICK HERE.

It is always recommended to consult with your treating doctor to determine the correct brace for your orthopedic condition.  For information  go to www.braceshop.com or call us at (866) 325-8045.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that exerts pressure on the median nerve (a sensory nerve) at the wrist. The medium nerve extends from the arm into the hand and gives you feeling in your thumb, index, middle and ring fingers.

The name derives from the carpal bones that make up the wrist joint. The “carpal tunnel” is a narrow passageway where the nerve travels into the hand. It is composed of a combination of ligaments and bones.

When the soft tissue around the carpal tunnel becomes swollen or inflamed, it presses on the nerve in the tunnel and causes pain and numbness.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually caused by repetitive hand movements, or jobs that causes constant pressure on the wrist. Carpenters, computer operators and musicians are prone to develop this condition. Women who retain fluid (pregnancy, menopause), patients that are obese or with diabetes and arthritis are also known to develop carpal tunnel syndrome.

Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome usually feel numbness and tingling initially. As the condition becomes chronic, the patient may experience pain when gripping or with repetitive activities. Some patients notice an increase in pain and numbness in bed due to swelling and inflammation of the tissue and hand/wrist position when sleeping.

Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome depends on the cause of the condition and the severity of the pain and numbness.

Treatment usually includes rest, ice and immobilization in a wrist splint. If the cause of the disorder is due to a medical condition, then your doctor will determine the treatment(s) for those conditions in an attempt to reduce the symptoms.

In more advanced cases, cortisone injections, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and oral steroids have been used. Surgical correction is used as a last resort, when it is determined that persistent numbness and weakness may become permanent.

Surgery involves severing the ligament around the wrist to reduce pressure on the median nerve. This surgical procedure is called “carpal tunnel release.”

Used as a preventative brace or post-surgical support, the Ossur Exoform Wrist Brace has proven to be one of the most supportive and comfortable braces on the market.

It is ergonomically contoured on the inside of the brace, providing the most comfort and best fit. The contoured padding mirrors the shape of the patients body and the injected molded plastic supports surrounding the brace produce the highest degree of durability and immobilization.

An adjustable aluminum palmar stay allows for fine-tuning of the brace when needed. Providing this combination of comfort and support, ensures patient compliance and ease of use. The brace can be used both as a preventative or post-surgical brace.

It is available in an 8″ length for both day and nighttime use. It is also available in an extra small size for small wrist sizes. You can find more information and sizing instruction for this brace by Clicking Here.  A hot/cold gel pad is an available accessory for the brace for added benefit.

It is always recommended that you consult with your treating doctor to determine the cause of your orthopedic condition and the appropriate treatment.  Go to www.braceshop.com or call us today at (866)325-8045 for more information on the Ossue Exoform wrist brace.