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The Align Clinic Blog
​ Your Home For Orthotic and Prosthetic Knowledge

What is AFO and How Does it Impact Peoples' Lives?

8/26/2020

16 Comments

 
Picture
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: 
  • For reducing pain; 
  • To prevent the patient from falling; 
  • For additional support weakened muscles need;
  • To ensure the ankle and the foot are in a correct position; 
  • To help the patient walk easily;
  • For added protection against exterior blows; 

​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: 
  • Before everything else you should make the AFO is unstrapped; 
  • Sit down and bend your knee and hip at 90 degrees;
  • Put on socks and make sure they aren’t wrinkly;
  • Bring your foot inwards and then up towards the knee; 
  • Put your heel on the backside of the AFO and secure the strap. Make sure it’s tight enough so that your foot is secure, but don’t stop your blood flow. You can test it by lifting your toes. Make sure there’s no room between the AFO and the heel;
  • Then tighten up the upper strap and also make sure that it isn’t too tight; 
  • The last step is to put on the shoe over your AFO and the foot.

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 Day

No 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. 
  1. Maximum of 60 minutes 
  2. 60 to 120 minutes 
  3. From 2 to 4 hours 
  4. 4 to 6 hours 
  5. As much as recommended by the doctor

​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 Line

In 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. ​
16 Comments
JULES WEISS
5/19/2021 01:53:15 am

What is the price? Is this product endorsed by medical
professionals?

Reply
Zachary Tomlinson link
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.

Reply
Shane Gibbs
8/5/2021 06:46:29 am

Been wearing one of these things since 1981.. Sometimes up to 48hrs without removal

Reply
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?

Reply
Hailey Miller link
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.

Reply
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?

Reply
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!

Reply
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

Reply
Stephanie Lang link
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.
The shoes were only about $90.00 and fit her son perfectly, she highly recommends this website.

Reply
Stephanie Lang link
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.
The shoes were only about $90.00 and fit her son perfectly, she highly recommends this website.

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?

Reply
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
Presently in bilateral plastic Richie Braces. Not feeling the same type of support. I also use a Rollater due to Menieres Disease ( was in remission untill I went into full blown diabetes) and mild neuropathy. I feel that I need more support by going back to a taller brace or splint. I have tried orthotic inserts but find that my lower legs swell more. Is my level of insight as to what I need correct. I’m asking my Dr for a taller AFO. Good stability and the rollater provides a way to rest after 200 feet.

Reply
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

Reply
Ortho Diabetic Footwear link
2/5/2023 11:56:16 am

Thank you for this information, Looking forward to read more stuff like this
Also check <a href=”http://orthodiabeticfootwear.com/ ”>customised orthopaedic socks hyderabad</a>

Reply
orthodiabeticfootwear link
2/7/2023 11:21:55 pm

Thank you for this information, Looking forward to read more stuff like this
Also check <a href=”http://orthodiabeticfootwear.com/ ”>Orthopedic Footwear in Hyderabad</a>

Reply
Orthopedic Footwear link
2/8/2023 11:17:16 am


Thank you for this information, Looking forward to read more stuff like this
Also check <a href=”http://orthodiabeticfootwear.com/ ”>customised orthopaedic socks hyderabad</a>

Reply



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  • Home
  • Locations
    • AC San Mateo, CA >
      • Inside AC SM
      • Our Practitioners >
        • Grant Wood
        • Steve Baum
        • Miguel Bustamante
      • Advanced Technology
      • Stanford Children's Health Partnership
      • Local Hotels
      • Contact Us
      • Team Members
    • AC Green Bay, WI >
      • Inside Wisconsin
      • Patient Testimonials
      • Contact Us
      • Emery Maloney
    • AC The Woodlands, TX
    • AC Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • The WCR Brace
    • Case Presentations >
      • Infantile Idiopathic Scoliosis
      • Juvenile Idiopathic Scoliosis
      • Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
      • Switching to a WCR Brace
      • Adult Scoliosis Bracing
      • Neuromuscular Scoliosis
      • Treating Upper Thoracic Curves
    • Brace Articles
    • Patient Testimonials >
      • Grant's Testimonials
      • Paul's Testimonials
    • WCR Partner Testimonials
    • Grant's MS Thesis
    • Our Patients
    • Patients and Sports
    • Patients and Hobbies
    • Brace colors
    • Scoliosis Fashion
  • Patient Resources
    • WCR Brace Clinics >
      • USA Clinics
      • China Clinics
      • Canada Clinics
      • Australia Clinics
      • WCR Brace Clinic Finder
    • WCR Certified Practitioners
    • Professional Contacts & References
    • Forms & Insurance
    • Clinical Photos and X-rays
    • Scoliosis Rehab PT, CA
    • Blog
  • Events
    • Brace Clinic Calendar
    • Sosort 2022 - San Sebastian, Spain
    • Past Events >
      • Advancements in Conservative Treatment of Scoliosis 2018 >
        • Award for Advancements in the Conservative Treatment of Scoliosis
      • Past USA WCR Clinics and Conferences
      • Advancements in Conservative Treatment Of Scoliosis 2017
      • Shanghai Clinic
      • AAOP Meetings
      • BSPTS Schroth PT Training
    • Past SOSORT Conferences >
      • sosort2019 San Francisco - CA
      • SOSORT2018 Dubrovnik/Croatia
      • SOSORT2017 Lyon/France
      • SOSORT2016 Canada
    • Northeast Region Re-Align Clinic
  • Services
    • Scoliosis & Spine Online Learning
    • Prosthetics
    • Orthotics >
      • Pediatric Orthotics
      • Cranial Remolding Band
  • Hope's Embrace® Undershirts
  • Wall Grids
  • WCR Brace Fitting Evaluation
  • For PTs/Orthotists
  • WCR Measurement Order Form
  • Masterclass Conferences
  • Careers