Orthotic welding
Frequently asked questions about orthesis welding
What are the different types of medical orthoses?
The ancestors of orthotics, splints were treatment devices used since time immemorial to immobilize injured or fractured limbs. Closer to home, the ancient Greeks were already using lumbar belts to relieve back pain and accompany certain physical efforts.
Designed to correct musculoskeletal disorders, immobilize a limb, improve posture or compensate for a deficiency, orthotics can be classified according to their power of action:
- Rest immobilization in cases of medical necessity or severe pain due to mobilization of muscles or nerves.
- Static mobilization to maintain a limb in an unusual position in order to correct or prevent deformities.
- Dynamic mobilization to place a limb in an unusual position, while allowing it to perform opposite movements.
- Plane restriction to limit joint axis deviations, which can lead to abnormal mobility and collateral damage.
- Mobility restriction to limit or reduce the risks and disorders associated with hyper-mobility of the joints.
- Compression to force alignment of connective tissue firoblasts and limit scar thickening.
- Functionality that facilitates mobilization of a disc joint by blocking movement of a proximal joint.
These medical devices are also classified by field of application:
- trunk orthoses.
- corsets,
- lumbar belts.
- cervical orthoses,
- orthotics for upper limbs (fingers, hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder),
- orthotics for lower limbs (knees, ankles),
- pelvic-crural and crural-pedal orthoses,
- orthotic shoes.
What is a seamless orthosis?
In older orthotics, there was often a recurring problem of beading in the assembly area, whether this was achieved by sewing, gluing or welding. This bulge was often a source of irritation for the orthosis wearer, and could also lead to bruising or inflammation.
In the case of plaster orthotics, this is not a problem, as after moistening, the bands are directly juxtaposed for consolidation by drying.
Orthotics made from medical textiles can be either 2D or 3D knitted, or woven from synthetic fibers with elastic properties. This makes it possible to produce seamless orthotics without the risk of bruising.
Welded orthotics are produced from thermoplastic materials assembled using high-frequency and ultrasound technology. The use of welding machines makes it possible to weld medical orthotics with smooth, regular, relief-free joints.
What kind of machines can weld orthotics?
Depending on the type of orthosis and the assembly method used, medical devices can be welded in different ways.
Adjustable braces and brace components can be industrially manufactured by molding and then assembled using high-frequency or ultrasonic welding presses.
Orthotic welding machines cannot be used to produce custom-made medical devices, as these are directly adjusted, assembled or configured by orthoprosthetists. Only orthopedic insoles can be made entirely in the ortho-prosthetist “s office, using a dedicated thermoforming machine to produce custom-made insoles.
What types of orthoses are thermoformable?
Thermoformable orthotics are made from thermofusible plastic materials, which deform under heat and take on the shape required to correct musculoskeletal disorders or postural problems.
Thermoformable orthoses are made either in the orthopedist’s office or in the orthopedic pharmacist’s dispensary. The custom-made contention, compression or immobilization device is produced by heating a sheet of thermoplastic material.
The thermoforming of orthotics can meet the following needs in particular:
- joint blockage due to accident or illness,
- partial immobilization of a limb due to tendonitis,
- total immobilization of a limb after a fracture,
- compensation for arch collapse
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