LE Orthotics Flashcards
Q: What is PRAFO?
Pressure Relieving Ankle Foot Orthosis
Content: PRAFO
Indicated for (PF) contracture prevention and pressure relief (prevent pressure sores)
Q: What can PRAFOs be used for? (3)
- Neuro involvement (CVA, SCI, TBI, etc.)
- Orthopedic (hip fracture, amputation)
- Long-term immobility (ICU)
Q: In general for orthotics a __ _________ pressure system is used.
3, point
- critical for LE orthotics/prosthetics

Content: Design considerations for (LE) Orthotic (13)
- Diagnosis
- Prognosis
- Comorbidities
- Height
- Weight
- Cost
- Cosmetics
- Degree of deformity
- Degree of correction
- Musculoskeletal factors
- Mobility requirements
- Stability requirements
- Anticipated functional level
Content: Trim Lines for LE Orthotics (6)
- Proximal (determines knee movement)
- Anterior (determines ankle movement)
- Ankle
- Foot (M/L movement)
- Metatarsal (effects push off)
- Posterior (higher = increases moment)

Content: LE Orthotic Evaluation (2)
- Functional ROM (midtarsal, subtalar, talocrural, knee/hip)
- Functional Muscle Strength (focus on general LE muscle groups)
Content: Foot alignment and function for prescription (3)
- Supination
- Pronation
- Skeletal deviations (hallux valgus)
Content: Ankle alignment and function for prescription (3)
- Foot drop
- Medial/lateral instability
- PF contracture
Content: Knee alignment and function for prescription (4)
- Flexion
- Genu recurvatum
- Genu varum
- Genu valgum
Q: What is the foundation of any orthotic?
Shoes
Content: LE Orthotics - Prefabricated (5)
- “Off the shelf”
- Limited fit and function
- Mild involvement
- Temporary use
- Diagnostic procedures
Content: LE Orthotics - Custom Fit (5)
- Prefabricated device modified to fit a specific pt.
- Provide limited fit and function
- Mild to moderate involvement
- Temporary use
- Diagnostic procedures
Content: LE Orthotics - Custom fabricated (3)
- Individualized fit for maximal function
- Moderate to severe involvement
- Extended or permanent use
Content: Foot Orthotics - Supramalleolar (SMO/DAFO) (3)
- Allows DF and PF
- Provides forefoot, midfoot, and subtalar stability
- Tone management (primary indication for this brace)
Content: Ankle Orthotics - Ground (or Floor) Reaction (3)
- Pre-tibial cuff facilitates knee extension
- Rigid foot plate facilitate push-off
- Capable of tri-planar motion control
- Common with ALS pts.
Content: Ankle Orthotics - Patellar Tendon Bearing
Reduces force on midfoot and heel by moving the major of the WB to just below the patellar tendon
- Can be used with Charcot foot
Content: Ankle Orthotics - Solid Ankle (2)
- Trim lines encompass malleoli
- Maximum motion control in all planes
Content: Ankle Orthotics - Semi Solid (3)
- Trim lines bisect malleoli
- Allows some DF in late stance
- Provides some M/L stabilization
Content: Ankle Orthotics - Posterior Leaf Spring (4)
- Stores energy during loading
- Releases energy to facilitate swing
- Provides little M/L stability
- Provides DF assist
Content: Ankle Orthotics - Articulated (4)
- Various materials
- Addresses multiple biomechanical functions
- Varying levels of adjustability
- Size/weight and cosmetics may be problematic
Content: Ankle Orthotics - Oklahoma ankle joints with plantar flexion stop
Adjustable ROM
Content: Ankle Orthotics - Gillette ankle joints (2)
- Various sizes and durometeres
- DF assist
Content: Ankle Orthotics - Camber axis hinge
Provides variable ROM or fixed ankle postions
Content: Ankle Orthotics - Metal Upright (4)
- Easily adjustable
- Maximal stabilization
- May be indicated for pts. with high risk feet or fluctuating edema
- Weight and cosmetics are major concerns
Content: Pathologic Gait - Dorsiflexors (3)
- Peak activity during swing and heel strike of normal gait
- Compensatory gait patterns: stepage gait or circumduction of leg
- Orthotic considerations: DF assist (Gillette, Posterior Leaf Spring)
Content: Pathologic Gait - Plantarflexors (3)
- Peak activity during push off of normal gait
- Compensatory gait patterns: lurching gait or antalgia
- Othrotic considerations: Make foot plate rigid and move metatarsal line forward OR DF stop to create a rigid lever (tibia and ankle locked together)
Content: Pathologic Gait - Quadriceps (3)
- Peak activity during swing, heel strike, loading of normal gait (really the whole time)
- Compensatory gait patterns: Hyperextension (relying on skeletal stability), Trunk flexion (to lock the knee)
- Orthotic considerations: Posteriorly offset knee joint (with KAFO) to provide stability through stance and reduce trunk flexion
Content: Knee Ankle Foot Orhtosis - Locked Knee (3)
- Maximal stability
- Creates functional leg length discrepancy
- Increases energy expenditure
Content: Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis - Stance Control (4)
- Provides stability during stance (locks)
- Allows knee flexion during swing (unlocks)
- Larger and more expensive
- Locking mechanisms vary
Content: Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis - Requirements (2)
- Adequate cognitive function
- Hip flexion and extension strength > or = to 3/5
Content: Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis - Contraindications (5)
- Knee flexion contracture > 10
- Spasticitiy
- Uncorrectable valgus/vaurs > 15
- Poor balance or ataxia
- Hip flexion strength < 3/5
Q: What does the metatarsal trim line effect?
The balance between push off and heel rock
Q: Where should you avoid placing the metatarsal trim line and why?
In the toe crease, pt. will curl toes around in of plate making them susceptible for pressure sores
T/F: MMT evaluation may not match their function
True, may be 2/5 all around but be able to walk
Q: Who is it more difficult to put a plastic brace on? (2)
- Those with peripheral neuropathy/diabetes
- Those with venous/arterial insuffiency - may be assoc. with changes in leg size
Diagram: Identify the LE Orthosis

Pressure Relieving Ankle Foot Orthosis (PRAFO)
Diagram: Identify the LE Orthosis

Prefabricated
Diagram: Identify the LE Orthosis

Custom fabricated
Diagram: Identify the LE Orthosis

Supramalleolar (SMO/DAFO)
Diagram: Identify the LE Orthosis

Ground Reaction
Diagram: Identify the LE Orthosis

Patellar Tendon Bearing
Diagram: Identify the LE Orthosis

Solid Ankle
Diagram: Identify the LE Orthosis

Semi Solid or Custom Fit
Diagram: Identify the LE Orthosis

Posterior Leaf Spring
Diagram: Identify the LE Orthosis

Articulated
Diagram: Identify the LE Orthosis

Oklahoma ankle joints with PF stop
Diagram: Identify the LE Orthosis

Gillette ankle joint
Diagram: Identify the LE Orthosis

Camber axis hinge
Diagram: Identify the LE Orthosis

Metal Upright
Diagram: Parts of a double stopped ankle
Posterior chamber for PF stop or DF assist
Anterior chamber for DF stop

Diagram: Identify the LE Orthosis

Locked Knee
Diagram: Describe the types of locks

Left = Bail Lock
Right = Drop Lock
Diagram: Identify the LE Orthosis

Posterior Offset