afo

Question 1

Why are Articulated AFOs often selected?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

what modifications can be made to Articulated AFO

Answer 2

• Posterior stop

- DF stop - velcro strap on posterior aspect limits excessive DF

Question 3

what are the different kinds of AFOs?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Why are standard AFO SAFO selected?

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

What type of patients are articulated AFO often prescribed for?

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

why are PLS AFO selected?

Answer 6

• assist DF, prevent foot drop, and allow foot clearance during swing phase
• allows for stored energy potential
• Knee extension needs to be increase

Question 7

what type of patients are PLS AFO prescribed for?

Answer 7

• 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

Question 8

what is a GRAFO?

Answer 8

• 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

Question 9

Why are GRAFOs selected?

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

What type of patients are GRAFOs prescribed for?

Answer 10

• knee buckle during stance
• present with crouched gait posture
• SCI, CVA, MS, Guillan barre, other neurological conditions causing weak quads

Question 11

what is a PLS?

Answer 11

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

Question 12

what is a DAFO?

Answer 12

dynamic afo
free DF and PF
wraparound foot and ankle

Question 13

what is a TRAFO

Answer 13

tone reducing afo

• ankle DF limited by hing block
• raised toe plate, molded arch, and transverse metatarsal arch

Question 14

what is a CFO?

Answer 14

dual carbon fiber spring afo
carbon fiber at dorsal part of orthosis
0 deg PF

Question 15

why would you choose a DAFO?

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

why would you chose a CFO

Answer 16

Power during push-off is limited

Question 17

what is a SAFO?

Answer 17

Standard, Solid Ankle
controls DF/PF and inversion/eversion
trim line anterior to malleolus
ankle positioned 90deg