AFO

Ankle-foot orthotics

Rehabilitation and cerebral palsy

Frequent re-evaluation of orthotic devices is important because children quickly outgrow them and can undergo skin breakdown from improper use of this equipment. Summer camp for children with cerebral palsy. CerebralPalsy.org Author: … READ MORE

AFO Tips from Complex Child

AFOs, or Ankle Foot Orthoses, are very common types of braces worn by children with a wide variety of conditions. When used properly, AFOs can greatly enhance a child’s function, by helping her stand or walk, and may also help … READ MORE

Brace yourself: my ups and downs with AFOs

It was late May 2014, and my wife and I were on our first trip to the Cleveland Clinic. We’d been to Cleveland for a wedding a few years earlier but had been too busy to explore. We booked a room at the Tudor Arms, a cool, old … READ MORE

Path of least resistance: Sequencing orthotic care

The higher profile the device, the more it perturbs movement, and sometimes kids reject such orthoses because of discomfort or unwieldiness. Starting with the least restrictive device and responding to subtle changes in children’s … READ MORE

Orthotic management: A symptom-based, dynamic approach

Orthotic devices, tailored to each patient and adjusted for disease progression, can improve mobility by addressing gait impairments and maintaining stability. By Cary Groner, Lower Extremity Review May 2015 Jeff Seitzer. Joshua … READ MORE

Orthosis use in children with Down syndrome

The literature on preschool-aged and older children with Down syndrome tends to be consistent with conventional understanding of orthotic principles, but in very young children clinical decision-making about orthoses must also … READ MORE

Gait scores can help identify CMT and determine severity, study suggests

Two scores that evaluate gait characteristics may help differentiate between those who have Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease and those who are not affected, according to a study. [1] Making adjustments: Jori Reijonen, of Kalamazoo, … READ MORE

Updated evidence on the efficacy of AFOs in children with cerebral palsy

Summary. The good news is that AFOs appear to provide clinical benefits in the management of CP. The bad news is that these benefits are modest relative to the gait deficits experienced by this population, and global indices of gait … READ MORE

Ankle-foot orthoses and functional electrical stimulation for foot drop in MS

Assistive ambulation devices for the ankle can bolster walking speed and safety and lessen the risk of injury to the joint. But which of 2 technologies is best for your patient? An FES device can help some people with foot drop walk … READ MORE

Prevalence of idiopathic toe-walking in children from birth to 10 years of age

Investigators found 79% of children who had ever been toe-walkers spontaneously developed typical gait by 10 years of age and did so without intervention or contractures of the ankle dorsiflexion. There are a number of reasons some … READ MORE

Update: Orthotic care and physical therapy for DMD

Lower extremity interventions can help boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) stay ambulatory for years—and improve outcomes in the condition’s non-ambulatory phase. Devices can address contractures and other issues, while … READ MORE

Fine-tuning orthotic device prescription and fitting in CP

Half of those diagnosed with cerebral palsy have been prescribed standard AFOs to aid in walking, according to United Cerebral Palsy and the CDC. A patient with CP at Shriners Hospital for Children—Chicago wearing his customized … READ MORE

Effect of AFO design on walking after stroke

Gait speed linked to braking force. Rigid ankle foot orthoses increase gait speed in hemiplegic stroke patients, but not for the reasons one might think, according to research from the Kessler Foundation Research Center in New Jersey. … READ MORE

Will an orthosis help you walk better with MS?

Difficulty walking due to muscle weakness, muscle spasms, and balance issues is common among people who have multiple sclerosis (MS). You can move naturally with the WalkOn during the day. When you crouch down or walk up a set of … READ MORE

What it means when kids walk on their toes

When toddlers are learning to walk, many spend some time walking up on their tip toes, which is known as toe walking. Commonly this is to get into things they aren’t meant to, but as they perfect their walking, they walk more with … READ MORE

Orthotic management techniques for children with CP

Consider range of motion and alignment when helping children with cerebral palsy push functional limits. A wise child once taught me, Never Say Never. AFOwear by Anthony Calabro, Healio O&P News July 2011 American Academy of … READ MORE

Positive results for pediatric patient with idiopathic toe walking

A multidisciplinary approach offered benefits for a pediatric patient who had idiopathic toe walking with severe contractures, according to Nicole M. Harris, PT, PCS, BOCO, of The Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora, Colo. Harris … READ MORE

Carbon fiber AFO-SMO orthoses improved gait in patient with cerebral palsy

The use of a carbon fiber ankle-foot orthosis with supramalleolar orthosis inner boots improved the gait of a 13-year-old patient with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, according to data presented at the Association of Children’s … READ MORE

Treating pediatric toe walking – is it idiopathic?

Pediatric toe walking is not necessarily idiopathic and can be the result of an underlying deficit, Megan Smith, CO, director of clinical research at Surestep, said at the Association of Children’s Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics Annual … READ MORE

Walking barefoot on gravel improves gait for children with idiopathic toe walking

Walking barefoot on a gravel surface significantly improved gait in children with idiopathic toe walking, according to research presented here at the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association National Assembly. Researcher Mark … READ MORE

Hinged vs solid AFOs for cerebral palsy: No significant difference in gait

There are no significant differences in gait or gross mobility between hinged and solid ankle-foot orthoses for patients with cerebral palsy who could walk without an assistive device, according to a study presented at the Association … READ MORE

Tuned AFO improves gait in patient with stroke

Adjusting the mechanical properties, alignment, plantar flexion and dorsiflexion resistance of a novel ankle-foot orthosis improved hemiparetic gait in a patient with stroke, according to data presented at the American Academy of … READ MORE

AFO stiffness can help optimize patient function

Decisions related to the stiffness of an ankle foot orthosis (AFO)—whether they involve device design or the materials from which it’s fabricated—can help lower extremity clinicians customize stability, biomechanics, and muscle … READ MORE

Pediatric orthotic management: Children are different

They are not just small adults; some things are very different, though some are just smaller. I often tell our physical medicine and rehabilitation residents in training that there are only two differences between adult and pediatric … READ MORE

Cerebral palsy and knee pain: management tips

Knee pain is common in children with CP, but given the many health challenges facing this patient population, knee symptoms may not be given high priority. Proper diagnosis and treatment of knee pain, however, can be key to maximizing … READ MORE

Gait analysis helps children with cerebral palsy keep pace

A person’s gait affects his or her entire body; movement that causes stress in too many places lead to pain, or injury. However, if a comprehensive motion and gait analysis is performed by a qualified professional, the nature of a … READ MORE

Uneven terrain: Tactics for orthotic device users

Helping patients manage an orthotic device can be challenging, but doing so in the face of uneven terrain is a balancing act between stability, mobility, and strength. Device adjustments and rehabilitation protocols can help … READ MORE

Early AFO use significantly enhances benefits of stroke rehabilitation

Functional balance test scores rise. Use of an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) within six weeks of stroke results in better balance outcomes and earlier independent ambulation than if AFO use is delayed, according to research from the … READ MORE

Rehabilitation, treatment and orthotic management of stroke

The effective treatment and rehabilitation of stroke patients requires a multidisciplinary team approach. Ankle foot orthoses for patients with weak dorsiflexion. Otto Bock Healio O&P News April 1, 2004 ▽ Table of Contents … READ MORE

Improving lower extremity orthotics management for children with cerebral palsy

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common cause of motor disability in childhood and each child with CP has unique motor control issues that affect posture, standing balance, and gait. In conjunction with other medical, surgical, and … READ MORE

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