Your doctor told you that you’d need an ankle-foot orthosis to walk. It’s the first time you’ve heard of such things, and a million questions flood your mind. Will it make your life complicated? Is it difficult to get used to? How do I choose the right one for me?
Although it might be difficult to adjust to these new devices at first, they will make your life easier until you recover. In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about ankle-foot orthosis braces.
8 Different Types of Ankle Foot Orthosis
Before you visit Ottobock, you should learn about various AFO models. Below are 8 different types of ankle-foot orthosis, along with their respective uses. Understanding how each type works can better prepare you for the consultation with your physician.
1. Articulated
This type features a hinge at the ankle. It restricts the up-and-down motion of the foot as needed. Thus, it can offset drop foot. The hinge is versatile; your doctor can alter it to suit your needs.
However, you’ll have to wear a structured shoe together with this brace. Otherwise, it won’t be stable enough.
Articulated models are great for patients who suffer from strokes or stress fractions. They focus mainly on restoring the ankle’s lateral stability. However, they’re unfit for patients with diabetes or who are prone to swollen feet.
2. Rigid
This type covers the entire back of the leg up to the knee. True to its name, it restricts all movement. It improves toe clearance while the foot is in mid-air. It reduces the risk of tripping. Rigid models are mostly used to aid children with cerebral palsy.
3. Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber models consist of a footplate connected to an orthotic. Thanks to their flexible design, they act like springs. Whenever you step down, the recoil facilitates your next step. Thus, they are the perfect answer to drop foot. They can promote muscle gain too.
This type is suitable for patients with little to no spasticity, mild fluctuating edema, mild equinus contracture, and mild coronal plane deformity in the ankle.
4. Dynamic
This custom AFO brace is tailor-made for each patient. It models the leg shape well. This dynamic brace is also incredibly flexible. Therefore, it allows for circumferential movement of the foot.
However, this flexibility isn’t appropriate for every condition. This type isn’t an option if the problem requires force and stability.
5. Posterior Leaf Spring
This brace type doesn’t prevent passive up-and-down motion of the foot. As a result, it can make walking feel more natural. Like carbon fiber braces, posterior leaf spring models also act like springs. In doing so, they further facilitate walking.
However, they are less rigid than other types. Your doctor might recommend them to treat mild spastic equinus.
6. Hip knee, ankle foot orthosis
It is a special type of custom AFO brace. As its name suggests, it extends to the knees and his. It’s mostly used to correct body alignment and strengthen the bones and muscles in the lower body. It can be designed to cover one or both sides.
7. Ground Reaction
It is another type of custom AFO brace. It shifts the extension and ground reaction forces near the knee. Because of this, it provides more leverage.
Ground reaction braces are most beneficial to patients with brain or spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and post-polio paralysis.
8. MAFO braces
MAFO stands for molded ankle foot orthosis. It is an umbrella term used to describe any type of orthosis that is molded according to your leg shape. These models are usually made of malleable thermoplastics.
What are AFO braces?
Ankle foot orthotics (further only AFO) are a type of braces used to support your lower leg. These devices increase joint stability, counteract atrophied muscles, and promote proper gait. Your doctor might recommend using AFOs for in-born predisposition or incidents that affect the function of your ankles and feet.
Their main purpose is to improve your stability and coordination while walking. After an injury, you may be unable to lift your whole foot off the ground. Experts refer to this as a foot drop. Since the end of your foot lags behind, you’re much more likely to trip. AFOs greatly reduce this risk.
Additionally, they can improve or limit your ability to move your foot up and down or side to side. Which one is more beneficial depends on the circumstances. AFOs vary in type, and each one has its pros and cons. We’ll discuss them in greater detail later on in the article.
