Hinged AFO

Happiness may not correlate with mobility in pediatric patients with physical disabilities

Key takeaways: Pediatric patients with physical disabilities had limited mobility and higher pain scores vs. typically developing youth. Results showed happiness did not correlate with motor function. Surestep By Casey Tingle, Fact … READ MORE

Principles of Ankle-Foot Orthosis Prescription in Ambulatory Bilateral Cerebral Palsy

Brittany, a patient at Shriners Hospital for Children—Chicago rides an adaptive bike with a recreation therapist. Shriners Hospital for Children, Chicago photo. Abstract Maintenance of upright posture and gait mobility is frequently … READ MORE

Researchers develop technology to treat Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT)

The research team led by Professor Minseok Kim from the Department of New Biology at DGIST (President Yang Kuk) has developed a technology that can treat Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, an incurable hereditary disease, with … READ MORE

AFO wear time affects activity level in children with CP

A research study comparing the body functions and structures, activity and participation levels, and environmental factors to AFO-wearing time in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) found that prolonged AFO-wearing time was … READ MORE

AFO configuration can improve efficacy of the orthotic intervention on gait patterns in CP patients

Cerebral Palsy (CP) represents the most common cause of motor disability in childhood with dysfunctional gait being one of the main problems. Figure. The ankle-foot orthosis used in the study showing the 2 configurations: hinged AFO, … READ MORE

Hypertonia and hypotonia – what’s the difference?

New parents have plenty on their minds. Baby’s health. Baby’s needs. Baby’s future. Muscles are way, way down on the list. But if your little one is facing developmental delays, muscle concerns are near the top. At first … READ MORE

Orthotics in Cerebral Palsy – Physiopedia

Surestep birthday party. Physiopedia UK November 6, 2019 An orthosis by definition, is “an externally applied device used to modify the structural and functional characteristics of the neuromuscular and skeletal system.” … READ MORE

Early orthotic intervention in pediatric patients, Part 2: Down syndrome, other neurological conditions, and toe walking

The Case For Early Intervention. Down Syndrome is associated with a long list of compensatory gait symptoms due to hypotonia, triplanar foot and ankle misalignments, sagittal and coronal compensation at the knee, proximal weakness, … 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

Energy efficiency with AFO use varies in cerebral palsy patients

Longer strides lead to increased work. Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are regularly prescribed to children with walking disabilities resulting from cerebral palsy, yet the effects of AFOs on energy recovery and work during gait are still … 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

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

Can AFOs help prevent falls?

Studies suggest that ankle foot orthoses can improve balance in some individuals, so it might seem logical that they would also help prevent falls. But the medical literature has yet to reveal a direct connection between AFOs and … READ MORE

Quantifying functional effects of AFO alignment

Assessing device alignment is a key aspect of prosthetic practice, but when it comes to lower extremity orthotics the process is less common. That’s changing, however, as researchers begin to document the effects of alignment on … 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

Stepping up: Orthotic devices help boost physical activity levels

Improved mobility with ankle foot orthoses and other devices can help patients experience the multiple health benefits of increased physical activity. But aggressive activity goals— including the oft-cited target of 10,000 steps per … 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

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

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

New approaches to orthotic management in children with cerebral palsy

Practitioners look to novel ways of using familiar lower limb orthotic alternatives to complement new technology. No single treatment is appropriate for every child, but it is generally agreed that the sooner intervention is started … READ MORE

CP studies assess advantages of flexible AFOs for children

The flexibility of an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) does not necessarily affect walking economy in children with cerebral palsy (CP), but more flexible AFOs may be particularly beneficial for sports activities in higher-performing … READ MORE

Walking study in CP highlights need for tailored orthotic prescription

Effects of AFOs on distance, speed vary.. A recent study demonstrates the importance of personalizing prescriptions for ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) in children with cerebral palsy, rather than applying group data to individuals. … READ MORE

Stability for CP: AFOs benefit diplegic children

In children with diplegic cerebral palsy (CP), wearing bilateral ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) that promote heel-first ground contact helps to improve stability and may reduce the risk of falls, according to research presented in March … READ MORE

Finding a footwear-AFO fit for kids

Finding shoes that fit over ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) is a challenge for thousands of children with neuromuscular disorders that affect walking ability. Parents have waited patiently while custom AFOs were molded and fitted, only to … READ MORE

Toe walking treatment and management

The management of toe walking is controversial — the natural history is poorly defined, and only limited data are available regarding direct comparisons of different treatment modalities. Therefore, the physician’s first decision … READ MORE

Orthotic options for knee OA focus on compliance issues

New research presented in June at the 2015 ISPO Congress underscored the potential long-term benefits of valgus knee bracing for relief of medial knee osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms when patient compliance is high, while other ISPO … READ MORE

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