AFO or ankle-foot orthosis is recommended for various conditions that affect the lower extremities. No matter if a person has a disease or an injury, AFO can be used to treat it. But most people don’t understand what these devices are or how they are used. Simply put, if your physician recommends ankle-foot orthosis, you won’t have enough knowledge to decide whether you should get one. There are many different reasons why an AFO might be recommended. This L-shaped device becomes the patient’s permanent companion. It affects their lives in many ways. It can take some time to adjust to wearing one. Here’s what to expect. What is an AFO? Ankle foot orthosis is a custom-built brace that is always worn on the foot or lower leg. It surrounds the foot and controls how much the ankle and the foot can move. At the same time, it keeps both of them in a natural position to help the patient walk or stand. AFOs are known for their L-shaped design, and they are meant to be used for protecting the foot while it’s healing. It keeps the foot safe and comfortable in case of foot, ankle, or heel injuries. On the other hand, they can also help people with foot drop issues or help with conditions like plantar fasciitis. There are two main designs of AFO orthotics. Some of them have a hinge or a joint located at the ankle, allowing movement. On the other hand, some are entirely fixed. These devices can be worn on both feet or a single foot. Main Reasons Why AFOs Are Prescribed Ankle foot orthosis is designed to control the amount of motion of an ankle and foot while keeping them in an optimal position. In general, they can correct the place in which the foot, joints, and muscles are, but can also be used to support weakened limbs. Here are some of the main reasons why doctors prescribe these medical devices:
These devices are used in 26% of orthosis cases in the US. This makes them the most commonly used orthosis option. At the same time, there is more research coming out every year about their use. The Shoes People Can Wear With AFOs The first thing everyone should know is that AFO should never touch the skin. This can cause irritation, lesions, and pain, which is something everyone wants to prevent. This is why it’s crucial to wear thicker cotton socks underneath the device. If you don’t have any, consider wearing tights. Make sure to pull them up properly so that there are no wrinkles. To make sure the device is working correctly, the patient needs to wear adequate footwear. First of all, make sure that the footwear is large enough and has room for the AFO. This doesn’t mean that you need any special shoes. You can wear anything you would regularly just as long as there is enough room to fit the device without being too tight. The best way to know whether your shoes are suitable for this use is to test them. When going to the store, try out shoes along with the AFO. Wearing AFO without shoes isn’t recommended as it can be very slippery. How to Put on an AFO Here are the steps on how to put on an AFO to ensure its use is effective:
There you go. This is the whole process of putting on an AFO. You will learn how to do it in a couple of days, and there’s nothing complicated about it. You Can’t Wear Your AFO All DayNo matter what kind of device you are getting, you can’t wear it all the time. Your body simply needs to get used to it. This means that you will feel discomfort at the start. In general, you should start slow and increase the amount of time you spend wearing it per day.
Listen to your orthotist, as he or she will give you suggestions on how often you should wear the device. Conditions and patients are different, and they will react differently to the device. Caring For Your AFO and Skin Always keep the AFO clean. Wipe it with a damp cloth, don’t leave it in direct sunlight, check for damages, and, if possible, avoid wearing it in the rain. Make sure that the straps are working correctly and check if the straps are working at all times. As far as skincare goes, you need to check what is happening underneath your sock every time you take the device off. If you have pain or red areas that won’t go away even half an hour after you’ve removed the device, make sure to contact your orthotic specialist. Bottom LineIn the end, remember to ask your physician as much as possible about wearing the ankle-foot orthosis. Get as many suggestions as possible so that you can use the device to its full potential while keeping yourself healthy.
19 Comments
JULES WEISS
5/19/2021 01:53:15 am
What is the price? Is this product endorsed by medical
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7/21/2021 05:41:10 pm
I never knew that orthotics are devices that'll allow you to align your ankles or foot after an injury. I saw a couple of flyers regarding orthotics around my workplace, and I got curious why I'd need one. I'll probably consider this idea if ever I get involved in an accident.
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Shane Gibbs
8/5/2021 06:46:29 am
Been wearing one of these things since 1981.. Sometimes up to 48hrs without removal
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Sarah
8/8/2021 05:27:14 am
Hello, I got casted for my AFOs but when I was casted my legs were quite swollen because I get blood pooling in the heat... I'm scared they won't fit when I go back.. if they are too big can they be adjusted or will I need new ones made? The change in my calves is 1.5cm... will they still fit?
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8/31/2021 08:09:35 pm
Thanks for pointing out that ankle-foot orthosis is a custom-built brace to control how the ankle and the foot can move. This is really helpful because my husband has problems with his left ankle due to working at the construction site. With this, he is hoping to find orthotics built for him on Monday to ensure efficient moving and walking while doing his job.
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Aireal Clemons
9/1/2021 12:32:16 am
Great info to know. I was just casted yesterday for mine. I go back on the 14th for my first fitting. Was told it'll be permanent. So was unsure on how often to wear it, and also how to get my ankle in. Is it going to hurt at first or just uncomfortable?
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Rachel
11/3/2021 07:37:45 pm
My son (6) is on day 5 of his AFO and day 3 of wearing them 23 hours a day and his feet are very sore? Is this normal? He is a toe walker so we are trying to correct it with serial casting and now afo’s. But I have no idea how long it roughly takes to break them in and get used to them and to see him struggling and hurting is breaking me! Any info would definitely help!
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Karine
11/25/2021 02:11:13 pm
I just got an afo brace because of a stroke and they won't pay for the shoes so I can wear the brace where can I get discounted shoes I'm not a diabetic and my insurance won't cover this
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8/10/2022 03:48:26 am
My caregiver Linda was looking for shoes for her son Rodney because he is in a program called strive , and shoes were a requirement for the program.
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8/10/2022 03:53:52 am
My caregiver Linda was looking for shoes for her son Rodney because he is in a program called strive , and shoes were a requirement for the program.
Susan Scott
3/9/2022 03:01:33 pm
My leg swells when I wear my arizona brace! I am on my feet for 6 hours a day on a cement floor. Is this normal?
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Cynthia Cole
5/4/2022 11:26:54 am
I used to wear splints up till 5 years ago and developed PTTD after I was given several runs of IV Levoquin
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Beth
1/27/2023 02:53:43 am
I am curious if you can walk up and down stairs normally with an Arizona brace on or do you have to do something special? Is the bottom of the brace (that you place your foot into flat enough that once it’s inside a shoe will allow you to walk normal, or will I walk with a “club foot” I’m going to be using stairs regularly so it’s very important that I can climb up and down them without too much concern
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2/5/2023 11:56:16 am
Thank you for this information, Looking forward to read more stuff like this
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2/7/2023 11:21:55 pm
Thank you for this information, Looking forward to read more stuff like this
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2/8/2023 11:17:16 am
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https://calgarypodiatry.ca/
3/26/2023 06:42:24 pm
Thank you for this amazing and helpful information. If you want to gain more insights about Foot problems, appropriate exercises, and treatment, you can check this site.
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5/4/2023 07:37:48 pm
I love that it explains foot problems, their causes, and preventions. It helps us to understand how foot problem occurs. For more information about Foot corn, you can visit our site.
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