Various apparatus, e.g., braces or supports, and methods for stabilizing a shoulder and/or arm of a subject are provided herein. In certain variations, a shoulder stabilization apparatus includes one or more inelastic, non-stretchable and/or rigid components which restrict or limit various types of shoulder and/or arm motion, e.g., abduction. The shoulder stabilization apparatus may include various accessory straps which restrict or limit various types of shoulder and/or arm motion.

A shoulder-immoblizing apparatus includes a forearm sling. The forearm sling is configured to receive an elbow, forearm and wrist of a first arm of a user and includes a first fastener configured for fastening a posterior strap to a proximal portion adjacent to the elbow, a second fastener configured for fastening an anterior strap to a distal portion adjacent to the wrist, and a contralateral strap holder. The contralateral strap holder includes a circumferential shoulder strap configured to wrap around a shoulder of a second arm of the user to form a substantially ellipsoid opening that seats against a pectoral region, a scapular region and one of an underarm region or a lateral outside portion of the shoulder of the user's second arm. The posterior and anterior straps each have swivel fasteners rotatably coupled to respective posterior and anterior portions of the circumferential shoulder strap. Related methods are also provided.

A patient positioning system for positioning a patient in preparation for an anterior cervical spinal procedure includes a base section, an upper body support attachable to a superior portion of the base section and a lower body support attachable to an inferior portion of the base section. The upper body support is configured to support the head and upper torso of the patient in a manner that aids in opening cervical spine disk space. The lower body support is configured to comfortably lift and support the legs of the patient. A traction strap assembly is attachable to the base section and configured to extend from the base section up around the shoulders of the patient and along the anterior side of the patient to a lower terminal end to enable intermittent traction of the patient's shoulders.

The invention relates to a holder, which can be fixed around the elbows of a person to prevent that person to make hitting movements. By means of a belt, strap or a pin, which can be inserted through holes in both sides of said holder, or a shackle, the elbow can be secured in the holder. If the holder is fixed around someone's elbow, the wearer can not fully stretch his arm anymore, necessary for delivering a blow with his fist. However the arm still has sufficient freedom of movement and the user can still bend his arm to 90 degrees. Therefore the user can still perform all daily activities.

A shoulder immobilizer (20) includes a semi-rigid or rigid orthosis, in the form of an arm support (22), which supports the upper arm, elbow, forearm and wrist of a patient. A bolster (24) is positioned between the patient and the arm support (22). A body strap (26) extends around the patient and attaches to the arm support (22) and/or the bolster (24), holding the arm support and bolster in position against the body of the patient. In embodiments, the shoulder immobilizer (20) may utilize a shoulder strap (28), but such a shoulder strap is not necessary for shoulder immobilization of the patient.

The present embodiments provide a brace which includes an actuator. The actuator provides movement of the arm and shoulder, abduction movement, so that during recovery from shoulder surgery, the shoulder and arm movement may be supported in increased range of motion positions. This may be done with a single brace rather than requiring multiple braces during the recovery process.

A shoulder rehabilitation brace that operates to aid patients in rehabilitating their shoulder joint in an anatomically correct manner with the trapezius is locked down in order to prevent substantial upward shoulder shrug movements. Embodiments of the shoulder rehabilitation brace may include a shoulder strap and a thigh strap, with the shoulder strap using the thigh strap as an anchor while encircling a user's torso and engaging the user's shoulder to cause force to be exerted on the shoulder that prevents shoulder/scapular hiking and keeps the shoulder blade in retracted position in a manner that helps prevent potential shoulder impingement scenarios. In this regard, the shoulder rehabilitation brace is able to emulate the same hand on trapezius area function that therapists manually apply to patient rehabbing a shoulder condition in-clinic.

A mobile joint restraint for treating a medical condition for which the mobile joint restraint is required is provided. The mobile joint restraint may include a first part comprising a pair of cut-out pieces, a pair of holes with a strap configured to secure the first part to a limb, and a pair of holes at the ends of arms of the first part configured to attach to a second part. The second part may comprise a pair of restricting protrusions configured to sit within the cut-out piece, a pair of holes with a strap configured to secure the second part to a limb, and a pair of flanges at the ends of arms of the second part configured to couple with the pair of holes at the ends of the arms of the first part.

An arm immobilization apparatus (800) is disclosed, which comprises a main body (802) arranged to be of a substantially oblong shape; and a location strap (804) having first and second ends (806a, 806b), wherein the first end is arranged to be coupled to a long edge of the main body, and the second end is coupled to first and second short edges (808a, 808b) of the main body. Corresponding methods for wearing the arm immobilization apparatus are also disclosed.

A medical apparatus for supporting the shoulder complex and humerus in a neutral position includes an upper body garment and a forearm sleeve adjustably fastened to the garment in an anterior and transverse orientation. The patient inserts her arm in the sleeve and fastens an elbow strap around the elbow to secure the forearm in a horizontal anterior position near waistline. The sleeve is adjustable in position to place the humerus inline with the spinal column, thereby preventing adduction and internal rotation of the glenohumeral joint. A weight distribution strap further elevates the sleeve and forearm. The strap is secured in a superior anterior region of the shoulder and spaced from the neck thereby preventing injury to the internal anatomies in the neck region. Optionally, thermal therapy to the shoulder is supported by a removable thermal therapy pouch.