Do you want to learn more about braces for drop foot? 1.
) Introduction The medical industry talks about different types of AFOs.
Some of the terminology that is used is good and other times people will just put information on the internet that is simply not correct.
This information about braces is correct and it is written by a licensed orthotist (brace specialist).
Three types of ankle foot orthoses (braces) are written about in this article.
This is good health information that can help you learn about these braces in simple terms.
2.
) Solid Ankle AFO: What does the word "solid" mean in this phrase? When someone talks about a "solid ankle" AFO, most of the time they are referring to the level of plastic that is located in the ankle section of the brace.
A solid ankle foot orthosis (brace) has plastic that comes in front of the patient's natural ankle joint.
Why is this important? The amount of plastic that is located at the ankle joint serves to provide different levels of support.
It can either hold the foot up, or the ankle foot orthosis (brace) can do more if more plastic encompasses the patient's ankle joint.
A solid ankle AFO will not only help to hold up the foot when a person walks, but it can also provide more side to side stability to the ankle.
It also limits movement to the point where a person can get indirect support at the knee joint, although the brace does not come up to the knee.
- The bottom line is that a solid ankle AFO will be more supportive than most other forms of ankle foot orthoses.
Moreover, the bonus to a solid ankle AFO is that once a patient does not need the level of support that they offer, a brace professional can trim the plastic back and it can become a different form of ankle foot orthosis (brace).
3.
) Dynamic AFO: This is a generic term.
This is not a technical term in which the brace industry recognizes as being valid, but since so many medical professionals talk about "dynamic AFOs" the term has somehow stuck.
Typically, when people talk about a dynamic ankle foot orthosis, they are referring to a hinged or "articulated" AFO.
The term "articulated" is probably more correct to use.
Articulated means that the brace has the ability to move at the ankle joint.
There are different limitations that are included in a hinged, or articulated AFO.
With an articulated ankle foot orthosis, the brace basically allows the knee to move forward or even backward more, as a result of more mobility at the ankle.
Essentially, what you will find is that a "dynamic" AFO allows more movement and still can provide support for people in specific directions.
Writing the words "dynamic AFO" on a prescription will leave the door wide open for interpretation and the orthotist will probably have to talk with the doctor about what they mean.
3.
) Molded AFOs: This is a term that is also not exactly correct, if you really want to analyze it.
However, it is some how seen on different parts of the internet.
What people mean when they say the term "molded AFO" is that it is a brace that is made from an impression, or mold of a patient's leg and foot.
Sure, people can figure out what it means, but this does not mean the term is accurate.
Technically speaking, if you took the words "molded ankle foot orthosis" and made it into an acronym, it would be MAFO.
However, this is not a technical term that is recognized uniformly in the orthotic industry.
Typically, a brace professional will call the "molded AFO" a "custom AFO".
There is a need for more medical professionals to get on the same page when it comes to the terminology used to describe braces.
We hope this information has started to clear up some of the lacking terminology that is currently being used.