Bracing, Orthotics & Durable Medical Equipment

Q: Does insurance cover braces and orthotics?

In most cases, yes. When prescribed by your physician with documentation of medical necessity, major insurance plans including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial carriers will cover a portion or all of the cost. Our billing team verifies DME benefits prior to dispensing and will communicate your out-of-pocket responsibility before you commit.

Q: How long do I need to wear a knee brace after surgery?

Duration depends on the procedure. After ACL reconstruction, a hinged brace is typically worn for four to six weeks, with a functional sports brace often recommended during return-to-sport activities. Meniscus repair and knee replacement protocols vary. Your surgeon will provide a specific brace-weaning schedule as part of your post-operative instructions.

Q: Are custom foot orthotics worth it?

For patients with plantar fasciitis, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, metatarsalgia, or lower extremity overuse injuries driven by foot mechanics, custom orthotics are frequently more effective than OTC insoles. They are prescribed based on your specific mechanical pathology and fabricated to your anatomy, providing targeted biomechanical correction that generic insoles cannot replicate.

What is bracing, orthotics & durable medical equipment?

In-Office Bracing & DME for Recovery, Protection & Performance

Maryland Orthopedic Specialists offers a comprehensive inventory of bracing, orthotics, and durable medical equipment (DME) to support your recovery after injury or surgery, protect joints during activity, relieve pain from arthritis and chronic conditions, and prevent re-injury over the long term. All fitting, sizing, and customization is handled in-office by our clinical staff at our Bethesda and Germantown, Maryland locations — so you leave your appointment with the right equipment, properly fitted, with instructions on how to use it effectively from the start.

Why Proper Bracing Matters

It is easy to assume that a brace is a brace — that any supportive device from a pharmacy shelf will do the job. In practice, the difference between a properly fitted, clinically appropriate brace and a generic off-the-shelf device can meaningfully affect your recovery trajectory and long-term outcomes. Orthopedic bracing works through several mechanisms: biomechanical offloading shifts compressive or shear forces away from an injured or arthritic joint compartment, reducing pain and protecting vulnerable tissue; proprioceptive enhancement from a well-fitted brace increases the body's awareness of joint position, improving neuromuscular control and reducing the risk of repeat injury; and immobilization or controlled motion keeps a healing structure in the correct position and range during the critical early phases of recovery. The problem with pharmacy-grade prefabricated braces is fit — they are manufactured to fit statistical averages, not individual anatomy. A brace that is slightly too large offers inadequate support and may actually create harmful shear forces; one that is too small can restrict circulation. Our clinical team sizes, fits, and in many cases modifies prefabricated braces on-site to ensure proper anatomical alignment, and we prescribe custom DME when individual anatomy or clinical need demands it.

Our DME Inventory

Knee

Unloader Knee Braces (OA Braces) — Designed specifically for patients with unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis (most commonly medial compartment OA), unloader braces apply a corrective three-point force system that shifts the body's load away from the arthritic compartment and onto the healthier side of the joint. This biomechanical offloading reduces pain with walking and activity, can delay the need for knee replacement, and allows patients to remain active while managing their arthritis conservatively.
Post-Operative Knee Braces (Hinged) — Following ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, or total/partial knee replacement, a hinged post-operative knee brace provides controlled motion protection — locking in full extension for initial healing and progressively unlocking range of motion as the surgeon's protocol allows. These braces protect the surgical repair while preventing the complications of complete immobility.
Patellar Stabilizing Braces — For patients with patellofemoral syndrome, patellar subluxation, or anterior knee pain, a patellar stabilizer applies lateral buttressing and patellar tracking correction to reduce pain with stairs, squatting, and prolonged sitting, while allowing normal activity.
Prophylactic Sports Braces — Athletes in high-contact sports — particularly football linemen and collision sport athletes — may be fitted with prophylactic knee braces designed to reduce the incidence of ligament injury by absorbing and redirecting lateral forces at the knee during play.

Ankle & Foot

Ankle Stabilizers — From acute inversion sprains to chronic lateral ankle instability, lace-up and semi-rigid ankle stabilizers provide mediolateral support that reduces the risk of re-injury during activity. We fit patients with the appropriate stabilizer based on severity of laxity and return-to-activity goals.
CAM Boots (Walking Boots) — Controlled ankle motion (CAM) boots are used for the management of lower leg and foot fractures, post-surgical immobilization, Achilles tendon injuries, and severe ankle sprains. The rigid shell and rocker sole allow ambulation while protecting the injured structure from the stresses of normal gait mechanics.
Custom Foot Orthotics — When a patient's foot mechanics are contributing to pain in the foot, ankle, knee, or hip — as is frequently the case with plantar fasciitis, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, flat feet, high-arched (cavus) feet, or metatarsalgia — custom foot orthotics provide biomechanically corrective support that prefabricated insoles cannot replicate. Cast or scan impressions of the foot are taken in our office, and orthotics are fabricated to the specific contours of each patient's foot, with modifications prescribed by the physician based on the biomechanical diagnosis.
AFOs (Ankle-Foot Orthoses) — Ankle-foot orthoses are indicated for patients with foot drop, post-stroke weakness, or peroneal nerve palsy affecting dorsiflexion. AFOs support the ankle and foot in a functional position during ambulation and can be prefabricated or custom-fabricated depending on the degree of support required.

Wrist, Hand & Elbow

Wrist Splints — Prefabricated and custom wrist splints are used for carpal tunnel syndrome (positioning the wrist in neutral to relieve median nerve pressure), De Quervain's tenosynovitis, wrist sprains, and conservative management of mild distal radius fractures. Custom thermoplastic splints are fabricated by our Certified Hand Therapists for cases requiring a precise anatomical fit.
Thumb Spica Splints — Immobilizing the thumb while leaving the fingers free, thumb spica splints are used for CMC joint arthritis, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, Bennett fractures, and thumb UCL (gamekeeper's) injuries. Properly fitting a thumb spica splint requires careful attention to the first web space and wrist positioning to be functional.
Trigger Finger Splints — Finger-based extension splints for trigger finger hold the affected digit in a straightened position, preventing triggering during the inflammatory phase and reducing the frequency of painful locking episodes.
Tennis Elbow Straps & Braces — Counterforce straps applied just below the elbow reduce the tensile force transmitted to the lateral epicondyle during gripping and wrist extension activities, providing meaningful pain relief for lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) during activity.
Post-Surgical Hand & Finger Splints — Following surgical procedures on the hand, wrist, or fingers, custom thermoplastic splints fabricated by our CHTs hold the operated structures in the precise position prescribed by your surgeon, supporting healing while allowing protected motion where appropriate.

Back & Core

Lumbar Support Braces — For patients managing acute lumbar muscle strain, recovering from lumbar spine procedures, or dealing with degenerative disc disease, a properly fitted lumbar support brace reduces mechanical loading on the spine and provides kinesthetic feedback to encourage appropriate posture during activity. We fit patients based on torso dimensions and intended use.
SI Belt (Sacroiliac Joint Belt) — For patients diagnosed with sacroiliac joint dysfunction, a SI belt applies compressive force across the pelvis to stabilize the SI joints and reduce the micro-motion that causes pain with walking, standing, and transitioning between positions. SI belts are simple, non-invasive, and often provide immediate relief.

Shoulder

Shoulder Abduction Slings — Following certain rotator cuff repairs, shoulder surgeries, or proximal humerus fractures, a shoulder abduction pillow sling maintains the arm in a specific degree of abduction to protect the repair from tensile stress during the early healing phase.
Rotator Cuff Recovery Slings — Standard arm slings and more specialized gunslinger-style slings are used in the post-operative period to immobilize the shoulder following rotator cuff repair, labrum surgery, or shoulder replacement, with the specific sling type and duration determined by your surgical protocol.

Custom vs. Prefabricated DME

Fit — Molded or cast to individual anatomy — Standard sizing (S/M/L/XL)
Cost — Higher upfront — Lower upfront
Insurance Coverage — Often covered with physician prescription and medical necessity documentation — Often covered; may require physician order
Best For — Complex anatomy, post-surgical requirements, biomechanical correction, chronic conditions — Standard recovery, mild-to-moderate conditions, straightforward anatomy
Turnaround Time — Typically 1–2 weeks (fabrication required) — Same day — dispensed at your appointment
Adjustability — Limited after fabrication (can be modified by CHT) — Often adjustable (straps, hinges, pads)
Durability — Fabricated for long-term use — Variable; some designed for temporary use

Insurance & Billing

Most durable medical equipment is covered by major insurance carriers when it is prescribed by your treating physician and accompanied by documentation of medical necessity. Our team handles the prior authorization process on your behalf and submits DME claims directly to your insurer, minimizing the administrative burden on you. For patients with coverage gaps or high deductibles, cash-pay pricing is available, and most DME qualifies as an eligible medical expense under Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). We will verify your DME benefits before dispensing equipment so there are no billing surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does insurance cover braces and orthotics?

In most cases, yes — when bracing or orthotics are prescribed by your physician and accompanied by documentation of medical necessity, major insurance plans including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial carriers will cover a portion or all of the cost, subject to your deductible and any applicable copays or coinsurance. Custom DME requires more thorough documentation than prefabricated items but is generally well-covered for appropriate clinical indications. Our billing team verifies DME benefits prior to dispensing and will communicate your out-of-pocket responsibility before you commit.

What is the difference between a custom and prefabricated brace?

A prefabricated brace is manufactured in standard sizes and is suitable for patients who fall within typical anatomical ranges and have straightforward clinical needs. A custom brace or orthosis is fabricated specifically for your body — either by taking impressions, measurements, or digital scans of the relevant body part — and is indicated when standard sizing cannot provide adequate fit, when your anatomy is atypical, when post-surgical positioning requirements are specific, or when a biomechanical correction cannot be achieved with an off-the-shelf device. Your physician will recommend the appropriate type based on your diagnosis and the goals of bracing.

Do I need a prescription to get a brace from your office?

DME dispensed at Maryland Orthopedic Specialists is prescribed by your treating physician as part of your care plan, so you do not need to arrive with a separate prescription. If you are establishing care with us specifically to obtain a brace or orthotic — and have imaging or records from a prior provider — bring those to your initial appointment and your physician will evaluate whether the requested equipment is appropriate and medically indicated.

How long do I need to wear a knee brace after surgery?

Post-operative brace duration depends on the procedure performed, the integrity of the repair, and your surgeon's specific protocol. Following ACL reconstruction, a hinged knee brace is typically worn for four to six weeks, with a functional sports brace often recommended during return-to-sport activities for the remainder of the first year. Following meniscus repair, brace duration and motion restrictions are determined by the repair pattern and tissue quality. Total knee replacement patients typically transition out of a brace within the first two to four weeks. Your surgeon will give you a specific brace-weaning schedule as part of your post-operative instructions.

Are custom foot orthotics worth it?

For patients whose foot mechanics are contributing to plantar fasciitis, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, metatarsalgia, or lower extremity overuse injuries, custom orthotics can provide significant, lasting relief that over-the-counter insoles cannot. The difference lies in biomechanical specificity: custom orthotics are prescribed and fabricated based on your physician's assessment of your specific mechanical pathology — whether that is overpronation, supination, leg length discrepancy, or forefoot deformity — while OTC insoles provide generic cushioning and arch support that may or may not address the underlying problem. Patients who have failed OTC insoles, who have significant anatomical asymmetry, or who have complex mechanical diagnoses consistently benefit most from custom orthotics.

Medically reviewed by Peter G. Fitzgibbons, MD, MD

Last reviewed May 1, 2026

References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). orthoinfo.aaos.org