Fletcher residents in need of orthotics can find a device that was built for their body, fitted by someone who understands their diagnosis, and adjusted until it works the way it is supposed to at Orthopedic Appliance Company.Our location at 235 St. Johns Road in Fletcher is convenient to reach from Hendersonville, Arden, Mills River, Flat Rock, Brevard, and across Henderson County. We offer a comprehensive orthotic service and a complete line of orthotic devices from head to toe.
Orthotic Custom Fabrication
There is a significant difference between a prefabricated device and one that has been built specifically for you.
When a device fits precisely, pressure is distributed correctly, and biomechanical alignment improves. A poor fit can create secondary problems which is why it’s better to use a custom made device. For patients managing neurological conditions, structural deformities, post-surgical recovery, or complex diagnoses, that precision is the difference between a device that helps and one that sits in a closet.
Orthopedic Appliance Company has been delivering custom orthopedic bracing to the people of Western North Carolina since 1960. That depth of experience means our practitioners have seen a wide range of conditions, worked with a wide range of patients, and developed the clinical judgment to match the right device to each individual's needs.
Orthotic Braces for Henderson County: What We Offer
Our Fletcher location provides custom orthotics for the full spectrum of orthotic bracing categories. Here is an overview of the device types available.
Lower Extremity Orthotics
Lower extremity orthotic braces address conditions affecting the hip, knee, ankle, and foot. This is one of our most requested categories, particularly for patients managing gait dysfunction, neurological conditions, post-surgical recovery, and injury rehabilitation.
Devices in this category include:
- Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs): Including solid ankle AFOs, posterior leaf spring AFOs, ground reaction AFOs, spiral carbon fiber AFOs, pressure relief AFOs, and clamshell walking boots (CROW boots) for conditions like drop foot, plantar fasciitis complications, Charcot foot, and dorsiflexion weakness
- Knee Orthoses: Including range of motion braces, ACL/MCL/PCL braces, osteoarthritis unloader braces, hinged knee supports, patella tracking supports, and knee immobilizers
- KAFOs (Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses): Spanning the entire lower leg for patients with more complex needs related to muscle weakness, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions
- Hip Orthoses: Including hip abduction braces and reciprocating gait orthoses for patients recovering from hip dislocation or replacement surgery
Foot Orthotics and Foot Care
Foot health is foundational to overall mobility, and our foot care services reflect that. We provide custom foot orthotic devices as well as orthopedic footwear and diabetic footwear fitted by our qualified specialists.
Our custom foot orthotic options include:
- Custom rigid functional orthotics for complete motion control in the foot joints below the ankle
- Custom semi-rigid functional orthotics for a balance of support and flexibility
- Custom accommodative orthoses for cushioning and pressure relief, particularly important for patients with diabetes or heel ulcerations
For patients with diabetes, proper foot care is a clinical priority. Ill-fitting footwear and inadequate support can lead to serious complications. Our team provides therapeutic diabetic footwear and diabetic insoles designed to reduce pressure points, improve ventilation, and help protect the foot from injury.
Spinal Orthotics
Spinal bracing is one of the more complex areas of orthotic care, requiring precise fabrication and fitting to be effective. We provide spinal orthoses across the full range from soft lumbar supports to custom rigid body jackets.
Types available include soft and rigid LSO and TLSO braces, sacroiliac belts, corsets, scoliosis braces, and custom plastic body jackets for patients requiring maximum immobilization. Whether a patient is recovering from a vertebral fracture, managing scoliosis, or dealing with post-surgical spinal instability, our practitioners assess each case individually and fabricate accordingly.
Upper Extremity Orthotics
Injuries and conditions affecting the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder can significantly impact a person's ability to work and manage daily life. Our upper extremity orthotic options include wrist splints, custom hand and wrist orthoses, resting splints, thumb spica splints, elbow supports (including ROM and dynamic elbow braces), and shoulder orthoses such as arm slings, shoulder immobilizers, and abduction pillows.
We also provide fracture orthoses, including humeral and ulnar fracture braces for patients healing from upper arm injuries.
Cervical Orthotics
Cervical orthoses are prescribed for patients with conditions requiring restriction of neck movement in flexion, extension, lateral flexion, or rotation. Our cervical options range from soft collars to rigid collars, halos, and SOMI (Sterno Occipital Mandibular Immobilizer) braces.
Pediatric Orthotic Devices
Orthotic needs in children are distinct from those in adults. Growing bodies require devices that account for developmental changes while providing the right level of support and correction. Our practitioners have experience working with pediatric patients across bracing categories including lower extremity, spinal, and upper extremity devices.
The OAC Difference: ABC Certification and In-House Fabrication
Choosing an orthotic provider is about trusting the people who are evaluating your condition and building the device that is supposed to help you move better.
Two things set OAC apart in the Henderson County area.
First, our practitioners and our facility are certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC). This certification is not a baseline credential. It represents rigorous standards for clinical competency, ongoing professional development, and facility quality. When you work with an ABC-certified orthotist, you can be confident you are being evaluated and fitted by someone who meets the highest standards in the profession.
Second, our devices are fabricated in-house by our own technicians. That means when adjustments are needed, they can be made efficiently and accurately by the same team that built the device. For patients who require multiple fittings or modifications as their condition changes, that in-house capability is a meaningful advantage.
Insurance Coverage for Custom Orthotics
Many patients are surprised to learn that custom orthotic devices are often covered by insurance. OAC accepts most major insurances, including:
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Humana
- Aetna
- Veterans Administration benefits
- And several additional carriers
A physician's prescription is required to file an insurance claim for orthotic or prosthetic devices. Our insurance and patient coordinators are available to help you verify your coverage before your appointment. Visit our insurance page for more information, or reach out to our team directly.
Serving Henderson County and the Southern Foothills
Our St. Johns Road office is a convenient option for patients throughout the southern Buncombe and Henderson County area. We regularly serve patients from Hendersonville, Arden, Mills River, Flat Rock, Brevard, and the broader southern Appalachian foothills region. If you are not sure whether our location is the right fit for where you live, our team is glad to help you find the most convenient OAC location.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of orthotics are available at the Fletcher location?
Our Fletcher office provides a full range of orthotic devices including lower extremity braces (AFOs, KAFOs, knee orthoses), foot orthotics, spinal braces, upper extremity orthoses, cervical orthoses, and pediatric orthotic devices. All devices are measured, fabricated, and fitted by our certified practitioners.
Do I need a referral or prescription to be seen for custom orthotics in Henderson County?
A physician's prescription is required to file an insurance claim for a custom orthotic or prosthetic device. We recommend consulting with your doctor about your condition before your appointment so they can provide the appropriate referral if needed.
Does OAC in Fletcher accept my insurance?
OAC accepts most major insurance plans including Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, Aetna, and Veterans Administration benefits. Our insurance coordinators can help you verify your specific coverage. Visit our insurance information page for a full list.
How long has OAC been providing orthotic care in Western North Carolina?
Orthopedic Appliance Company was established in 1960 and has been serving the people of Western North Carolina for more than six decades. The company remains family-operated today.
How is a custom orthotic device different from a store-bought brace?
Custom orthotic devices are fabricated specifically for the individual patient based on clinical evaluation, precise measurements, and in many cases a mold or digital scan of the patient's anatomy. Prefabricated braces are mass-produced in standard sizes. For many conditions, particularly those involving structural abnormalities, neurological compromise, or complex biomechanical needs, a custom device provides clinical outcomes that a generic product cannot.
Schedule Your Evaluation
Contact Orthopedic Appliance Company to schedule an appointment at our Fletcher location or to speak with one of our patient coordinators. We bring more than six decades of experience in custom orthotic and prosthetic care to every patient we see, and we would be honored to bring that same commitment to you.
Orthopedic Appliance Company – Fletcher, NC 235 St. Johns Road Fletcher, NC Phone: (828) 483-5781