Custom and Off-the-Shelf Back and Knee Braces

Hermann Medical offers state-of-the-art ligament, osteoarthritis, and post-operative back and knee braces to help patients get back to their daily routine as quickly and effectively as possible.  Whether they require a non-operative or post-operative off-the-shelf fracture brace or a functional custom spinal orthosis, we only offer the best quality back and knee braces and components from the finest manufacturers in the world, and our fabrication specialists keep their “focus on the fit” to keep patients always comfortable. Knee bracing plays a crucial role in keeping millions of peoples lives moving at their expected daily activity level.  Some braces/orthotics are required after certain arthroscopic procedures to get patients walking and/or back to normal daily activity levels as soon as possible, and some are necessary as a daily support to those with more serious or long term ailments.

Custom and Off-the-Shelf Back Braces

Hermann Medical’s custom and off-the-shelf spinal systems offer effective treatment solutions for a variety of clinical indications. Each orthosis can be fitted and fabricated with a variety of components and options to offer a comprehensive range of control.  Our extensive lines of spinal orthoses are designed to alleviate pain, limit undesirable motion, and provide circumferential pressure to stabilize the spine. The system’s modularity, adjustability, and interchangeability characteristics cater to various different patient profiles and the changing needs of each individual patient.  The lightweight construction and superb fit in our custom and OTS spinal orthoses are optimal for patients requiring support for daily activities such as lifting, long periods of standing, normal work related motions, and regular self-care tasks.  

Custom and Off-the-Shelf Knee Braces

Knee orthotics, whether custom or off-the-shelf, are mostly used to treat ligament injuries, for post-operative bracing and osteoarthritis.  Hermann Medical’s lines of OA knee braces use muscle power to place a medially or laterally directed force against the knee during terminal extension to help relieve pain for moderate to severe symptomatic lateral or medial compartment arthrosis.  Millions of adults have knee osteoarthritis. In many cases, this chronic condition limits their ability to perform activities of daily living, play sports, and work. Hermann Medical’s extensive knee brace solutions reduce the load on the symptomatic compartment, relieve painful symptoms often associated with this complex disease, and improve quality of life. Every Hermann Medical knee brace can off-load either the medial or lateral compartment and incorporates load adjustment mechanisms that allow patients to fine tune their brace to meet their daily needs.

Indications for Use of Custom Back and Knee Braces

• Acute and chronic low back pain
• Spondylolisthesis
• Post-operative support
• Activity/work related low back pain
• Low lumbar laminectomy
• Arthritic changes
• Kyphotic and lordotic postures
• Disc herniation or degeneration
• Spinal stenosis
• Spinal metastasis

Highest Quality Components

At Hermann Medical, we only use manufacturers who combine the ultimate in technology, materials and design. Our lightweight braces provide durable support for moderate to severe ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL instabilities. Plus, the low-profile designs fit comfortably underneath clothing and sports uniforms, including hockey and football. Some of our stronger braces such as the DonJoy carbon composite Defiance are recommended for high collision sports, while their featherweight materials and custom fit also make it the brace of choice for activities of daily living. And as always, our custom knee braces excel standards because at Hermann Medical, we “focus on the fit.”

Custom AFOs

An AFO (ankle-foot orthosis) is special bracing, worn on the lower leg and foot to support the ankle, hold the foot and ankle in the correct position, and correct foot drop. Also known as a foot-drop brace. AFOs are commonly used in the treatment of disorders that affect muscle function such as stroke, spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, polio, and multiple sclerosis. AFOs can be used either by providing support to weak or wasted limbs or by positioning a limb with tight, contracted muscles into a more normal position. AFOs are also used to immobilize the ankle and lower leg in the presence of arthritis or fracture.

Our orthotics facility utilizes state-of-the-art materials and our industry leading “focus on the fit” fabrication techniques to provide only the industry’s best AFO devices for our patients.

Along side are just a few images of the lines of AFOs and custom AFOs we offer.  We carry almost all AFO company lines, and if we don’t currently carry your suggested brand or line, please call us anytime, and we’ll get the product that is right for you or your patient.

Age is not important. It's energy that counts. Traditional ankle foot orthoses provide a measure of support, but people leading busy lives need something more. Hermann Medical has taken the best of its technology and incorporated carbon fiber into our newer and modern AFOs. For real energy return and a confident, more efficient walk, look no further.

Hermann AFOs provide a strong, lightweight solution for patients with drop foot, secondary to the variety of neurological conditions listed above. The energy storing properties of the carbon fiber we use in the AFOs construction make it the ideal material for these types of dynamic ankle foot orthoses.

Custom KAFOs

A (KAFO) knee-ankle-foot orthosis is an externally applied orthopedic appliance which encompasses the foot, ankle, lower leg, knee, and thigh. The KAFO provides the features of an AFO but in addition provides protection, correction and support of the knee joint.

Some KAFOs are still made from metal and leather but most designs now use thermoplastics with metal only being used for the hinges at the knee. The lightweight plastic designs offer more support, are more cosmetically acceptable, and can fit into various shoe designs. While the metal braces are more adjustable, they tend to be heavier, bulkier and require special attachments for fitting to shoes. A heavier shoe is also generally required when using the metal brace. Very lightweight carbon fiber designs also exist but are not economical, lack adjustability and are rarely more suitable than thermoplastic designs.

KAFOs with a knee lock are generally used to keep the knee from bending when there is a loss of or weakness of the muscles (quadriceps) that straighten the knee. When there is adequate strength and only support of the ligaments is needed as in sports injury, the lock and foot section are not needed. Such a device is called a knee brace or orthosis.

KAFOs come in various designs and the appropriateness of each design is determined by the type of deformity and functional levels of each individual.

Custom AFOs and KAFOs and the Hermann Medical Fit

AFOs and KAFOs are very serious orthoses, and Hermann Medical’s experienced fitting and fabrication staff follow the Hermann Medical standard when servicing patients with these devices.  We “focus on the fit.”  Remember, any company can buy the best parts, but without a good fit, the parts are as good as useless to a patient in pain due to an improper fitting.  This is why Hermann Medical is the only proper choice for a great fitting orthosis.  It’s all about the fit!

Diabetic Footwear/Foot Orthotics

Due to the fact that diabetes can cause circulation problems and nerve damage, as well as other conditions that can affect the feet, some people with diabetes will want special diabetic shoes or orthotics created especially for their condition.

Looking for the right shoe that offers you the comfort, size, and width necessary for proper fit and circulation? Then look no further. Our selection of diabetic shoes not only provides patients with the proper built-in comfort that a patient requires, but also offer great value and more sizes and manufacturers for those who have a hard time finding their correct size or  requested style. Our extensive diabetic shoe lines give that “broken-in” feeling as soon as they are taken out of the box. So whether a patient is taking their dog for a walk, dropping the kids off at football practice, or putting in a long day at the office, they can count on the comfort of Hermann Medical’s diabetic shoes to be unbeatable.     

Other foot disorders are often times managed with foot orthotics and may necessitate the use of extra-depth shoes.  Newly fabricated orthotics can replace the original insole and the shoe can accommodate hammer toes, bunions, and other foot deformities.  At Hermann Medical, we don't believe medical shoes should limit our patients’ wardrobe. Instead, we provide fashionable solutions to health conditions that people love to wear, even without any specific foot problems at all. These shoes even give support and comfort to healthy younger feet and help feet stay that way.  Pictured below are only a few of the styles of shoes we offer from the extensive list of manufacturers we operate with. Medicare covers the costs of one pair of diabetic shoes per calendar year for all approved patients.


Procedure for Fitting Foot Orthotics

When a patient comes to visit us, we measure and record the general appearance, shape, and condition of their feet. We observe how the patient walks and assess the proper orthotic needs. We will then fit the patient in the most suitable shoe and other foot orthoses to accommodate their special needs. We provide a service that ensures the highest quality of care for people in Texas, Louisiana, and the surrounding region of the country.

Conditions that Require Foot Orthotics

• Osteo or rheumatoid arthritis
• The diabetic foot
• Very wide or narrow feet
• The injured or deformed foot
• Bunions
• Hammer, clawing, or painful toes
• The over-pronated (flat) foot
• High insteps
• Ulcerated feet
• Swollen feet
• Post injury or operation
• Pediatric shoes or boots for children with orthoses or hard to fit feet

Diabetic Footwear Services Provided

• Professional fitting service, by a registered nurse or our orthotists
• Home, hospital, and nursing home visits, by appointment.
• Split sizing option for different shaped or length feet
• Custom, orthopedic-made footwear if required
• Shoe repairs
• Shoe modifications
• Build ups
• Wedges

Other products we offer, when getting a new pair of diabetic shoes, may be necessary, depending on a patient’s diagnosis. These may include:

• Toe fillers
• Inserts
• Extra-depth footwear