7. Lower Limb Orthotics Flashcards
List 6 benefits of orthosis.ππ
- A kinesthetic reminder
- Prevention of contracture
- Correction of deformity
- Control of spastic muscles
- Support/stability
- Augmentation of weak muscles (assist in motion)
- Reduction in pain/comfort (injury, inflammation)
- Unloading of diseased or damaged joints
- Improvement in function
- Limitation of ROM (restriction of motion)
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 6 P&O pg513
PMR Secrets 3rd Edition Chapter 34 pg278 q5
Line of gravity (weight line) in quite standing. ππ
π‘ While standing, the COG is in the midline and just anterior to the S2 vertebra
- Behind the cervical vertebrae
- Front of the thoracic vertebrae
- Behind the lumbar vertebrae
- Posterior to the hip joint and tends to passively extend the hip joint
- Anterior to the knee joint and tends to passively extend the knee.
- 1 to 2 inches anterior to the ankle joint and tends to dorsiflex the ankle which is resisted by the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles
What is the principle of orthoses in order to control joint motion?
How does an orthosis control joint motion? π Dr. Jamal
-
Three-point pressure system
- Opposing three-point pressure systems
- Multiple three-point pressure systems
- Four-point pressure system
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 6 P&O pg514
Materials in orthosis. Advantages and Disadvantages.
-
STEEL/METAL
- Low cost, fatigue resistant, provides high strength and rigidity.
- Heavy weight, long term erosion (oxidation)
-
ALUMINUM
- Corrosion resistant, provides high strength, lightweight.
- Lower endurance limit under repeated dynamic loading
-
TITANIUM
- Strength comparable to steel with only 60% of the density, resistant to corrosion
- Limited availability, high cost
-
CARBON FIBER
- Lightweight, high strength
- Very expensive, difficult to shape or modify
-
THERMOPLASTIC
- Lightweight, shaped directly to the body without the need for a cast
- Body irritation and allergic reactions
List 8 Uses for AFO. Why we use orthosis for lower limb?
π‘ Muscle (weak or tight)- Ligaments - Bone - Joint - Gait/Function - Protection
- Weak dorsiflexion (drop foot) : stroke - spinal cord injury
- Correct deformity (spasticity - contracture) : cerebral palsy, spina bifida/myelodysplasia
- Healing for ligament injury : ankle sprain
- Healing for bone conditions : fracture - post operative
- Reduce pain from arthritic joint : OA - RA
- Improving gait : hyperextension of the knee or genu recurvatum
- Add stability : Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrom, hyper-mobility
- Protection from wounds: diabetic foot
Metal AFO. Components - List two indications - How to correct varus and valgus
Components
- Calf Band
- Metal uprights
- Ankle Joint
- Leather straps
- Footplate or other interface between the brace and the shoe
Two indications for metal AFO
- Individual may have grown accustomed to a metal brace and thus despite the advantages of newer types may not want to change.
- Condition may require a stronger stability provided by metal AFO
- Fluctuating lower limb edema
Medial T strap
Apply pressure over the medial malleolus and buckle around the lateral upright.
Lateral T strap
Apply pressure over the lateral malleolus and buckle around the medial upright.
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 6 P&O pg515
How to differentiate between plastic AFO? when to use each one? ππ
POSTERIOR LEAF SPRING/FLEXIBLE
- Trim line is behind the ankle
- Flaccid foot drop
- Allow to push-off/plantar flexion phase
- Dorsiflexion assist during the swing phase
SEMI-RIGID
- Trim line is behind the malleoli
- Foot drop with some extensor tone
- Provides increased ML stability of the ankle
- Patient cannot easily propel during push-off
RIGID
- Trim line at the malleoli or anterior to the malleoli with
- Highest levels of spasticity/tone, contracture or post op
- No motion allowed at the tibiotalar or subtalar joint
- Postoperative immobilization of the foot or ankle
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 6 P&O pg515
Posterior Leaf Spring (PLS) AFO. Advantages & Disadvantages ππ
Specs
- Trim line is behind the ankle
- Dorsiflexion assist during the swing phase
Uses
- Flaccid foot drop
Advantages
- Lightweight
- Cosmetic appeal
- Increased comfort with foot inside a shoe
- Can fit into a shoe with relative ease
- Lack of attachment to the shoe
Disadvantages
- No ML Support
- Do not offer as much control of inversion/eversion or of varus/valgus mal-alignment
Rigid (solid) plastic AFO. Uses & Disadvantages ππ
Specs
- Trim line at the malleoli or anterior to the malleoli
- No motion allowed at the tibiotalar or subtalar joint
Uses
- Spasticity
- Contracture
- Stabelization (post operation or injury)
- Early to moderate Charcot joint
Disadvantages
- Bulky, limiting options for shoes
- Cosmetically unacceptable to many
- More difficulties in walking (no rockets), patient may not accustom to it
- Require a greater energy expenditure
- Excessive pressure on or presence of skin breakdown
Prefabricated braces may be preferable by the patient for many reasons. Mention 4.
- Brace will be needed for only a limited time period
- You need a brace today
- Cheaper than custom made braces
- Itβs what you have available
- You want to use it as an assessment tool prior to fabrication
Identify
Double-action metal ankle joint with solid stirrup
Braddom 6th Edition Chapter 12 LL Orthotics pg34
AFO with hinged ankle joint. List 2 benefits & 2 types.
BENEFITS/INDICATIONS
- Reduce the energy cost of ambulation
- Paralysis of dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, foot inversion, foot eversion
- Prevention and correction of deformities
SINGLE POSTERIOR CHANNEL
- Spring for dorsiflexion assist, after planterflexion it will spring back to dorsiflexion
- Steel pin for plantar flexion stop
- Inserting both a pin and a spring for dorsiflexion assist and plantar flexion stop
DUAL POSTERIOR & ANTERIOR CHANNEL
- Additional option of an adjustable steel pin
- Lock the joint in a fixed position
- Block the forward progression of the tibia at midstance (dorsiflexion stop) (Quadriceps muscle is weak will cause non-stop dorsiflexion and buckling)
- Anterior spring help in planterflexion βpush-offβ thus getting up easier from a chair
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 6 P&O pg516
Knee hyperflexion and hyperextension. Explain the mechanism and the Tx AFO of choice.
KNEE HYPERFLEXION
- During foot strike, the direction of GRF fall behind the knee, and in this case the GRF will tend to encourage flexion of the knee. If the GRF falls in front of the knee (by improving planterflexion), then knee extension is assisted.
- Dorsiflexion assis in knee flexion and collapse (GFR posterior to knee)
Use: Ground reaction force AFO
KNEE HYPEREXTENSION
- Plantarflexion stop can be adjusted to keep the ankle more dorsiflexed. This adjustment will move the GRF posterior to the knee joint and encourage more flexion and discourage the hyperextension of the knee that was occurring previously.
- Plantarflexion assist in knee extension (GFR afterior to knee)
Use: Solid AFO
Explain why patient c/o aches in thighs after using AFO.
Most AFOs hold the ankle in slight dorsiflexion, moving the tibia forward and causing a flexor moment at the knee. This flexor moment must be controlled by the quadriceps.
This increased activity of the quadriceps may cause a sense of fatigue and aching in the thighs especially if the quadriceps are a bit weak.
Why patient c/o Knee instability after wearing AFO.
Why patient c/o aches in thighs after using AFO.
Mention 2 orthotic fixes and 2 shoe modifications.
Explain
- AFO creates a flexor moment at the knee: If quadriceps are not strong enough to provide an opposing extensor moment, the knee will be unstable and collapse into flexion.
- Most AFOs hold the ankle in slight dorsiflexion, moving the tibia forward and causing a flexor moment at the knee. This flexor moment must be controlled by the quadriceps.
- This increased activity of the quadriceps may cause a sense of fatigue and aching in the thighs especially if the quadriceps are a bit weak.
Orthotic Fixes
- Can modify it into GRF AFO
- If quadriceps muscle strength of grade 3 or less, consider KAFO.
Shoe modifications
- More plantar flexion (but more difficulty clearing the foot during swing)
- Shorter heel with cushion: higher or firmer heel will cause an increased flexor moment at the knee and does not allow free plantar flexion.
Presence of knee hyperextension in a pt wearing an AFO List 5 reasons. What are two ways of correcting? ππ
CAUSES
- plantarflexion contracture
- quadriceps spastic
- weak flexors
- soft heel
- low heel
CORRECTION
- Limit ankle planterflexion, enhance dorsiflexion
- KAFO
List 4 reasons for knee buckling in a pt with an AFO ππ
Give 2 shoe causes of increased knee flexion in an articulated AFO
List 3 Ways for limiting knee instability/buckling ππ
CAUSES
- Weak quadriceps grade <3/5 (Polio, Paraplegic SCI)
- Knee flexion contracture
- Hamstring spasticity (Stroke, CP)
- Ligament injury (ACL)
- Excessive dorsiflexion
- High heel
- Hard heel
CORRECTION
- Increase plantar flexion
- Lower heel height
- Softer heel
How does AFO reduce energy cost of hemiparetic ambulation? ππ MOCK
- Prevent foot drop in swing phase
- Easy to negotiate stairs
- Reduce energy cost
- Increase walking speed
PMR Secrets 3rd Edition Chapter 11 pg113 Q11