Functional bracing of fractures of long bones was first introduced in the late 1960s. This method was quite popular during that period following Sarmiento’s work on this.  This technique was based on the proposition that freedom of motion of the knee joint and early weight-bearing ambulation could be introduced during treatment of tibial fractures without increasing shortening of the limb or interfering with fracture healing.

Early success led to the development of an orthosis similar in design that permitted freedom of motion of the ankle and knee joint. The system was expanded to include some diaphyseal fractures of the femoral shaft and fractures of the upper limbs following the success in tibial fractures.

The principle of the treatment by fracture bracing is to allow early mobilization with help of a brace that does not hamper function after the fracture has started glueing.  The initial cast is removed within two weeks and the limb is put in functional brace. [Read more...]