Custom Knee Ankle Foot Orthotic
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A Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (long leg brace or KAFO) are a group of appliances that incorporate your foot, ankle, knee and extends up the the thigh. A KAFO is used where greater functional loss has occurred resulting in the need for more stabilization and support. They are custom made to a corrected casting of your leg or occasionally can be of custom-fitted prefabricated components built to meet your Treatment goals.
What conditions do they treat?
Custom KAFO's are beneficial for treating a number of medical conditions and injuries. These include:
What are the treatment goals?
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:
How are KAFO's made?
To fulfill your Treatment Plan (TP), our Certified Orthotist will perform shape capture with the appropriate casting and/or measurements. Our in-house lab will create a plaster model which Eric modifies to suit your TP. Wendy, our Orthotic Technician, and Eric will custom fabricate your custom KAFO using the recommended materials. How to use your Kafo's
Custom KAFO's work best when used with an accommodative shoe that provides good support. The KAFO can be switched between shoes or boots, once the insole of the shoe is removed. Since KAFO's are often complicated appliances a fitting appointment is required to address the intricacies of fit and function. At your dispensing appointment, our Certified Orthotist will ensure that the orthotic fit is correct in any shoes 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 KAFO 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 pain when using your KAFO. Our Certified Orthotist can reassess your situation and determine the best course of treatment, which could include modifying the KAFO we provided for you, or making new ones. Velcro straps on your KAFO 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. What funding is there?
The Ontario Assistive Devices Program (ADP) will fund up to 75% of the cost of a new KAFO provided that:
ADP may partially cover the cost for replacing straps. Please ask us for more details. Private Insurance may pay for all or a portion of the cost not covered by ADP. It is important to consult your insurance company to determine what coverage you may have. Most companies require a physician's prescription in order to access funding. Some may request an extensive bio-mechanical analysis from the Certified Orthotist, which we provide at no additional charge. There may also be coverage by:
For more information, visit our Funding Page. guidelines for your KAFO
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