AFO are slightly more complex than a typical foot orthotic as they support both the foot and ankle. AFOs provide support and assistance, and allow a patient to move through the various stages of gait. They provide support and stabilization at the ankle to allow more foot control and ground clearance when walking. AFOs are designed for patients that might have lost the ability and strength to move their foot up and down (dorsiflex and plantarflex) at the ankle.
People with foot drop caused by spinal stenosis, stroke or other neurological condition, often benefit from an AFO, as there is a high risk of tripping and falling.
Our clinic offers a wide range of different AFOs, such as off the shelf/prefab AFO and custom casted AFOs. They extend from the foot to the calf with a variety of hinges to best suit the patients needs. In certain cases a specialized AFO or a Richie brace can be prescribed.