Orthopedic braces are medical devices used to support, align, and protect injured or weakened bones, muscles, and joints as they heal. The document describes several common types of orthopedic braces including unloader knee braces used to reduce weight on the knee and improve functionality for osteoarthritis patients, patellar braces that help keep the kneecap in position for patellofemoral pain syndrome, knee immobilizers used to immobilize the knee for injuries like ruptured quadriceps or ligaments, functional ankle braces that provide external support to limit motions after ankle sprains, night splints used to treat heel and ankle pain from issues like plantar fasciitis, and spinal bracing used to support sprains, strains