An orthopaedic brace (also orthosis or orthotic) is a device used to:

• immobilise a joint or body segment,
• restrict movement in a given direction,
• assist movement,
• reduce weight-bearing forces, or
• correct the shape of the body.

(adapted from Rehabilitation Medicine, ISBN 0-397-50764-X) This article is about a joint in zootomical anatomy. ... In the physical sciences, weight is the interaction of matter with a gravitational field. ...

Most often in the US, the last purpose listed above is what persons call in common speech a brace, whether it is made from elastic, neoprene, or a stiffer, more restrictive construction such as hard plastic or metal. An orthotic is most often understood to be a somewhat flexible device, often an insert for shoes, to correct leg length, fallen arches (flat feet), or some other foot problem. Wikiquote has a collection of quotations by or about: United States Wikinews has news related to this article: United States United States government CIA World Factbook Entry for United States House. ... This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Neoprene is the trade name for a family of synthetic rubbers based on polychloroprene. ... Plastic bottles for recycling Plastic is a term that covers a range of synthetic or semisynthetic polymerization products. ... Hot metal work from a blacksmith In chemistry, a metal (Greek: Metallon) is an element that readily forms ions (cations) and has metallic bonds, and metals are sometimes described as a lattice of positive ions (cations) in a cloud of electrons. ...

In the UK a brace of this kind is usually referred to as a caliper, or sometimes mis-spelt as calliper. Often the older type of leg brace is meant, constructed of steel side bars and ring, with spurs which fit into a metal tube in the heel of an adapted shoe or boot, and with leather straps and bands around the leg to hold the splint in position. The straps can be secured with velcro but many patients prefer buckles. This type of caliper can be either non-weight relieving or, by slight lengthening, made to relieve weight by raising the heel of the foot away from the heel of the shoe or boot. These splints have to be individually made by an orthotist or appliance maker, closely to fit the particular contours of the leg being supported. A caliper is a device used in the metalworking field of mechanical engineering, to measure the distance between two symmetrically opposing sides. ... A caliper is a device used in the metalworking field of mechanical engineering, to measure the distance between two symmetrically opposing sides. ... Velcro is a brand name of fabric hook-and-loop fasteners used for connecting objects. ... A caliper is a device used in the metalworking field of mechanical engineering, to measure the distance between two symmetrically opposing sides. ...