Cerebral Palsy: support for the ankle and wrist

Among the wide range of conditions and disabilities covered by NDIS, Cerebal Palsy is one of the most common, affecting around 34,000 Australians. With half of all those people suffering from chronic pain, a third having hip displacement and a quarter being unable to talk, Cerebal Palsy often has a debilitating effect on those who live with it daily. Here is how Bauerfeind can help. 

Cerebral Palsy: how Bauerfeind can help

Symptoms range from weakness in a single hand all the way to a complete lack of voluntary movement. In addition to physical therapy and assistive care, the use of a properly fit brace can provide stability, mobility and pain relief. 

While there is often a need for these braces and supports, as well as the service and expertise to fit them correctly, with an average cost of $43,431 a year to care for someone with Cerebral Palsy, it can be difficult to arrange.

This is where Bauerfeind and the NDIS come in handy. Whether it’s a self-managed plan or your plan manager or therapist are helping out, we can provide our supports and invoice NDIS directly under your plan to make it as quick and easy for you to get support.

The staff at Bauerfeind Australia have spent several years building up strong relationships with therapists, doctors and other healthcare providers to ensure the best tailor-made support for each and every patient, and this service comes with every brace.

While there are a wide range of methods and products to empower those with Cerebal Palsy, we’d like to focus on two main ways in which bracing can greatly help those affected - by providing stability to the ankles and feet, and by bracing and stabilising the wrist and hand.

Cerebral Palsy: support for the ankle and wrist

Ankles and feet

Ankle weakness and instability is very common in people suffering from Cerebal Palsy, making walking, running and active movement difficult. While physical therapy is the most important way to build up strength and mobility in the ankle, the use of rigid and semi-rigid supports to aid in this development often proves highly effective.

Rigid support

Rigid braces are the highest level of support you can get for your ankle. Utilising a rigid splint to keep your ankle in a particular position, they’re most often fastened with strapping and use padding, air cushions and inserts to keep the joint supported.

When it comes to the ankle, this type of brace is most commonly used for chronic instability, severe injury and post-op recovery. Often, rigid braces are the best chance people have of being able to walk with a severe ankle injury.

Example: Caligaloc Ankle Brace

Semi-rigid support

Semi-rigid braces are designed to provide support post-injury. The unique design allows for the brace to stabilise the ankle, while still allowing active movement.

Using the ankle as an example again, these braces often have multiple components to suit various stages of rehabilitation from an ankle injury. This helps patients to transition through their recovery with the one brace. These braces are highly versatile and great for multiple issues, such as swelling and instability, fractures and post-op recovery.

Example: MalleoLoc L3 Ankle Brace

Another effective way to help stabilise the foot and ankle is through the use of insoles, often in combination with an ankle support or brace.

One distinct advantage of ankle supports and insoles, especially with Bauerfeind’s range, is the slim fit that provides a high level of comfort, not only to address the movement issue, but also reducing pain to help participants get moving.

Wrist and hand stability

Spasticity and weakness in the wrist and hand is one of the more common symptoms of Cerebral Palsy, and associated pain often occurs. Strengthening is crucial but having added support can make the difference between enduring the symptom and thriving despite it.

For many cases, a firm wrist and thumb support can help with basic daily tasks like writing, typing, eating and lifting. A rigid brace can also unload the wrist and relieve a lot of the pain that participants may be feeling. For example the ManuLoc Rhizo. 

Whether your mobile and have some mild weakness, struggle with bilateral quadriplegia or something in between, then Bauerfeind has something to help you out.

For assistance selecting the right product for your needs, book a video consultation with a Bauerfeind expert: Book Video Call, or call us on 1300 668 466.

Bauerfeind products are developed at our innovation and manufacturing facility in Zeulenroda, Germany. Based on years of scientific research, our award-winning braces and support garments are highly recommended by medical professionals and athletes worldwide.