afo Flashcards
Why are Articulated AFOs often selected?
Allow for free unrestricted sagittal plane motion at the ankle but limit medial/ lateral ankle motion
- allow tibia to advance forward over foot during mid to late stance
• Dorsiflexion at initial contact is limited or absent
• More dorsiflexion
• Shoes provide limited plantarflexion power
• A dynamic equinus deformity is present in children with hemiplegia
• Sit-to-stand takes too long
• Walking speed and stride length are too short in children with hemiplegia
• A heel-toe pattern is lacking
• excessive knee hyperextension in children w hemiplegia
what modifications can be made to Articulated AFO
- Posterior stop
- DF stop - velcro strap on posterior aspect limits excessive DF
what are the different kinds of AFOs?
SAFO Standard, Solid Ankle HAFO Hinged, Articulated AFO PLS Posterior Leaf Spring GRAFO Ground (Floor) Reaction AFO DAFO Dynamic AFO TRAFO Tone Reducing AFO CFO Dual Carbon Fiber Spring
Why are standard AFO SAFO selected?
• Ankle motions are excessive, ankle weakness/instability
- External support, stability, and limit on ankle range of motion are needed
- Increased PF tone
- Mild knee hyperextension or buckling (flexion)
• Increased stride length and decreased cadence are desired
• Specific skill execution is limited when barefoot
• Walking results in excessive energy expenditure
What type of patients are articulated AFO often prescribed for?
- SAFO provides more rigidity than needed
- Pt needs medial/lateral ankle stability but are active. Climb stairs, curbs, ramps, etc.
- Spastic CP
- Knee hyperextension
- Correctable ankle equinus
why are PLS AFO selected?
- assist DF, prevent foot drop, and allow foot clearance during swing phase
- allows for stored energy potential
- Knee extension needs to be increase
what type of patients are PLS AFO prescribed for?
- mild spastic CP
- condition w isolated DF weakness or paralysis
- pt does not need med/lateral ankle support, minimal restriction of sagittal plane ankle motion
what is a GRAFO?
- Ground reaction ankle foot orthosis
- Made of solid plastic material with solid ankle
- Upper portion of AFO wraps around anterior part of proximal tibia
- don through rear with anterior shin and foot sections
Why are GRAFOs selected?
- provides ankle and knee control
- prevents knee from collapsing into flexion during stance by restricting ankle DF
- patient needs 3/5 MMT quad, good hip stability
What type of patients are GRAFOs prescribed for?
- knee buckle during stance
- present with crouched gait posture
- SCI, CVA, MS, Guillan barre, other neurological conditions causing weak quads
what is a PLS?
posterior leaf spring afo
- limited, resisted, PF and DF, only few degrees of motion
- posterior trim line behind malleolus for
a thin posterior heel support that widens into a calf band
what is a DAFO?
dynamic afo
free DF and PF
wraparound foot and ankle
what is a TRAFO
tone reducing afo
- ankle DF limited by hing block
- raised toe plate, molded arch, and transverse metatarsal arch
what is a CFO?
dual carbon fiber spring afo
carbon fiber at dorsal part of orthosis
0 deg PF
why would you choose a DAFO?
- Want to increase stride length, decrease cadence, and decrease ankle motion
- Motor skills (crawling/kneeling, standing, and walking/jumping) as measured on the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) are delayed or absent
