Treatments
Ankle-Foot Orthotics, AFO
Commonly prescribed for weakness or paralysis of ankle dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion, and eversion. AFOs are used to prevent or correct deformities and reduce weight bearing. The position of the ankle indirectly affects the stability of the knee with ankle plantar flexion providing a knee extension force and ankle dorsiflexion providing a knee flexion force.

An AFO has been shown to reduce the energy cost of ambulation in a wide variety of conditions, such as spastic diplegia due to cerebral palsy, lower motor neuron weakness of poliomyelitis, and spastic hemiplegia in cerebral infarction. Thermoplastic AFOs: These devices are plastic molded AFOs, consisting of 3 parts: a shoe insert, a calf shell, and a calf strap attached proximally. Rigidity depends on the thickness and composition of the plastic, as well as the trim line and shape.

Rigid AFO The solid AFO has a wider calf shell with trim line anterior to the malleoli. This AFO prevents ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, as well as varus and valgus deviation.

Hinged The adjustable ankle hinges can be set to the desired range of ankle dorsiflexion or plantar flexion.

Hybrid A flexible plastic liner wraps around the foot and fits inside the AFO outer shell. Used when the foot deformity is severe enough that corrective forces need to be spread over a larger area of the foot.

Instructions for wearing and caring for your brace are here, on the AFO page.

Aquaplast™ Splints
Aquaplast materials are low temperature thermoplastics used by Occupational Therapists for forming re-moldable splints. Aquaplast splints are used for the pre-standing patient to correct and/or prevent deformity and to provide a base of support.

Foot Orthotics
Foot orthoses extend from the posterior border of the foot to a point just posterior to the metatarsal heads. This device is used to accommodate the abnormal foot to help restore more normalized lower limb biomechanics.
Comform'able [TM] - see www.thesozegroup.com and www.sidas.com

Footplates for tricycles and bicycles (with training wheels)

Gutter Splints

Heel Cups

Hip-Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis, HKAFO

Knee Braces
Provide support or control of the knee. We've good success with braces from
Generation II, Innovation Sports, and Townsend Designs

Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis, KAFO
Knee-ankle-foot orthoses consist of an AFO with metal uprights, a mechanical knee joint, and 2 thigh bands.

Pectus Carinatum
A lightweight, low-profile, dynamic brace for the treatment of anterior wall chest deformities incorporating self-adjusting ratcheting buckles that allow the patient to control pressure. More info

SmartWalker™
The SmartWalker was developed by Advanced Orthotic Designs in Toronto. It is the latest device used for gait training children with Cerebral Palsy. This device allows for hands free operation and the greatest opportunity for children to gain as much independence as possible while exploring their surroundings as never before. The device has two components: an orthotic bracing system and a wheeled frame. Marc Schneider, BPE, is the exclusive distributor of Marital™ in Alberta.


Boston Soft Body Jackets™
Provides trunk support enabling improved patient seating.

Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral Orthosis, TLSO

Trunk-Hip-Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses
Consists of a spinal orthosis in addition to an HKAFO for control of trunk motion and spinal alignment.

Reciprocating gait orthosis (RGO): An RGO consists of bilateral KAFOs with posteriorly offset locking knee joints, hip joints, and a custom-molded pelvic girdle with a thoracic extension. The hip joints are coupled with cables preventing bilateral hip flexion simultaneously. The hip extension on one side coupling hip flexion on the other side through the cables produces reciprocal walking gait pattern.

Winnipeg Standing Frame
Provides a base of support for Standing Therapy to improve access to social, vocational and recreational activities while improving the body's physiological functioning.