Custom Ankle Foot Orthosis
Go to 06:20 timestamp on the video to see only the section on cleaning your AFO.
What is an Ankle Foot Orthosis?
An Ankle Foot Orthosis (ankle brace or AFO) is an appliance that incorporates your foot, ankle and most of the calf. AFO's can be required at any age, from infants to the elderly. There are a variety of designs, including a solid ankle, flexible ankle and articulating ankle. All have straps to help ensure the correct application of the orthosis. Our Certified Orthotist will determine the design which best suits the individual's needs and goals.
Custom AFO's are beneficial for treating a number of medical conditions and injuries. These include:
- Drop foot due to Stroke (CVA)
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Charco-Marie Tooth (CMT)
- Club Foot
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Post Surgical correction
- Osteoarthritis
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Guillan-Barré Syndrome
- Tibialis Posterior Dysfunction
- Diabetes
- Spina Bifida
- Cerebral Palsy (CP)
We book an hour for your first appointment at which time, Eric Bapty, our Certified Orthotist will take a medical history and perform a physical examination of your lower limbs which includes an evaluation of muscle strength, joint alignment and range of motion. He will then conduct a gait analysis, discuss your abilities, support and situation before suggesting a Treatment Plan (TP) based on his assessment and the prescription from your doctor.
Treatment goals:
Treatment goals:
- Provide ankle and foot stability in stance
- Provide knee stability; prevent knee hyperextension
- Provide foot clearance in swing phase of gait
- Control bio-mechanical alignment of the foot and ankle in locomotion
- Redistribute pressures on the foot
- Limit excessive movements in the foot and ankle
- Protect the foot and ankle
- Provide shock absorption
- Produce a more energy-efficient gait pattern
To fulfill your Treatment Plan (TP), our Orthotist will perform shape capture with the appropriate casting and/or measurements. Our in-house lab will create a plaster model which our Certified Orthotist (Eric) modifies to suit your TP. Wendy, our Orthotic Technician, and Eric will custom fabricate your custom AFO using the recommended materials.
Custom AFO's work best when used with an accommodative shoe that provides good support. The AFO can be switched between shoes or boots, once the insole of the shoe is removed. Our Certified Orthotist will ensure that the orthotic fit is correct in appropriate footwear that you bring with you at your dispensing appointment, explain the wearing protocol, and offer information on any additional modalities appropriate for treating your condition.
While the correction provided may take some time to get used to, the AFO should not be painful. We provide a follow-up appointment after two weeks to make sure the fit and function are working for you. We also recommend that you book a follow-up appointment if you experience any pain when using your AFO. Our Certified Orthotist can reassess your situation and determine the best course of treatment, which could include modifying the AFO we provided for you, or making new ones.
Velcro straps on your AFO need to be kept clear of lint and generally need replacing every year or so. There is a fee for this service for which we are happy to provide you a quote.
While the correction provided may take some time to get used to, the AFO should not be painful. We provide a follow-up appointment after two weeks to make sure the fit and function are working for you. We also recommend that you book a follow-up appointment if you experience any pain when using your AFO. Our Certified Orthotist can reassess your situation and determine the best course of treatment, which could include modifying the AFO we provided for you, or making new ones.
Velcro straps on your AFO need to be kept clear of lint and generally need replacing every year or so. There is a fee for this service for which we are happy to provide you a quote.
PEDIATRICS: CP studies assess potential advantages of flexible AFOs by Jordana Bieze Foster
http://lermagazine.com/special-section/conference-coverage/pediatrics-cp-studies-assess-potential-advantages-of-flexible-afos July 2015
http://lermagazine.com/special-section/conference-coverage/pediatrics-cp-studies-assess-potential-advantages-of-flexible-afos July 2015