Orthotic braces, or orthoses, are used to provide support to a weakened body part or joint. While many times they are worn for  a short period of time, usually after an injury or surgery,  some braces are used to address long term or chronic conditions. Examples of some common conditions for which long term use of an orthic may be prescribed by your physician include osteoarthritis, scoliosis, back pain, and drop foot. 

Some orthotic braces are used passively, meaning they simply  support the injured or weakened body part. An example of this type of device is an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) that is used to address drop foot, a common symptom after a stroke that  results in the loss of the ability to control the ankle joint. The use of an AFO in this situation maintains the correct position of the  foot and ankle, allowing the patient to walk without stumbling and potentially falling. 

Other orthotic braces offer a more active role in that they not only support the weakened body part, but also provide a counterforce that achieves a desired outcome. A common example of this type of device is a knee orthosis that is prescribed to treat osteoarthritis, a common disease that causes pain as a result of bone surfaces contacting each other. Osteoarthritis orthoses are used to separate the bones and reduce pain and inflammation as a result.