Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO)

Ankle Foot Orthosis is able to help treat a variety of injuries and also other conditions. The following is a list of just some of the conditions and injuries they treat This list is not comprehensive so contact us if you have any questions.

• Drop foot/dorsiflexion weakness
• Postoperative
• Osteoarthritis
• Prophylactic (preventative)
• Tibialis posterior dysfunction
• Ankle sprains
• Ankle instability
• Injuries
• Diabetes
• Neuropathy
• Multiple Sclerosis

Benefits of Ankle Foot Orthosis

Not only can an AFO help with the various conditions but the goal of an AFO is to provide various benefits to the ankle. An AFO will help with providing shock absorption while also protecting the foot and ankle. They will also redistribute the pressure points on the foot and make sure the ankle and foot will not move too much to promote healing. An AFO can also provide stability while also helping treat foot or ankle alignment. For example, for overpronation or excess supination, the AFO helps improve the symptoms caused by these conditions.

Types of Ankle Foot Orthoses

We carry ankle foot orthoses from brands such as Thuasne, Breg, DJO Global, Ossur and Ottobock. Here are a few types of ankle foot orthoses we carry.

Flexible AFO brace

A lightweight ankle foot orthosis used to support the area. It is also used to help with foot drop. The lightweight design of the braces also means that they should fit inside most shoes and boots. Our orthotists can help custom-fit these ankle foot orthoses for you.

Main uses

• Post-surgery of the Achilles tendon

• Foot drop from neurological or nerve diseases, Charcot Marie Tooth, multiple sclerosis, stroke

Rigid AFO

These rigid braces are useful in stabilizing the ankle. They also help with the alignment of the muscles and joints. They do not flex like the flexible brace and they provide support for the ankle.

Main uses

• Ankle instability

• Injury

• Osteoarthritis

Hinged AFO

These braces are similar to the rigid AFO but have a hinge to allow some movement of the foot. The ankle joint allows some up-and-down movement (plantarflexion or dorsiflexion). There is a wide range of hinges available for your activity level, weight, and more.

Main uses

• Treatment of conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke, arthritis

• Conditions where side-to-side motions needs to be controlled

How can an ankle foot orthosis brace help with foot drop?

What is foot drop?

Foot drop or drop foot is a condition that can happen as a result of a stroke, nerve injury, neurological disorders or muscle disorders. It is a condition that makes lifting the front of the foot difficult. This can then mean that your foot will drag while walking. Foot drop can be temporary or permanent.

How an ankle foot orthosis helps with foot drop

Foot drop is the inability to raise part of your feet. The way a foot drop brace such as an ankle foot orthotic can help is by limiting how much the foot can move. As a result, an ankle foot orthosis helps with foot drop by limiting the dorsiflexion/plantar flexion of the ankle. In other words, an AFO brace worn on your lower leg prevents how much the ankle can move up and down. Also, the ankle foot orthosis stops the foot from dropping while during the swing phase when taking a step. The brace also encourages the foot to strike the ground on the heel. This helps improve your gait by reducing how much the foot deviates.

What to look for in ankle foot orthoses for foot drop

Limiting how much the ankle can move may cause walking to no longer feel as fluid and also more tiring. This is where flexible and hinged AFOs can help. The flexible AFO brace causes walking to feel less taxing. Hinged AFOs on the other hand provide limited movement of the foot. This movement helps the foot build muscle and also stretch.

So why would you choose a rigid brace? These braces are useful for aligning the muscle and the joints. It is also useful for people who need high amounts of ankle stability. If you have any questions on what type of AFO would work best for you, contact us and we will help.

How it works

Our certified orthotists and technicians will first take the prescription provided by your doctor.  After that, we will perform an initial assessment to examine your leg. We will also help you with any questions you may have. Then we will take a cast or 3D scan of your leg to get the perfect fit for your orthosis. Using this mould we will make the orthosis to fit the prescription and your specific requirements. Contact us today and see how we can help.

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