AFOs - A Down To Earth Guide on Ankle Foot Orthoses and Orthopedic Braces - Part 5
Walking With Your New Ankle Foot Orthosis Once you get your new brace, you can try walking with it (unless you are medically restricted from walking at the time of delivery).
You will most likely notice that your stability and walking balance have improved.
Other patients will note that they walk faster and with less energy as well.
What Does An AFO looks Like? To start, an AFO typically encompasses the majority of the foot.
This does not mean that the brace looks bulky; quite the opposite actually.
For traditional AFOs, the foot is encompassed as mentioned earlier, except the dorsum (top) of the foot in most cases is left untouched by plastic.
For many adults (depending on what brace specialist you work with) you will be provided with an AFO that is approximately 3/16" of an inch thick.
3/16" is less than a quarter of an inch, or 4/16".
If you get out a ruler right now, you will see that the typical size of 3/16" is actually not bulky at all.
Now we will explain how tall a typical AFO should be for a patient.
You will get the technical version first, followed quickly by a more simple version: A.
) (Medical Version) The brace will traditionally come up past the ankle to a point that is distal to your fibular head by approximately 1 " - Textbook will usually state that the AFO needs to come up 20 mm distal to the neck of the fibular head.
B.
) (Simple English Version): All this means is that the brace will usually come up the leg to what is essentially the widest part of the calf.
What Are Traditional AFOs (ankle foot orthoses) Made Of? These braces are usually made from plastic or metal and leather.
Most of the time, these days, AFOs are made from plastic and people shy away from metal and leather AFOs.
Metal and leather AFOs can be well made and very effective for patients however, so do not take this the wrong way.
The metal and leather AFOs, however, are typically a little more bulky and are physically attached to a shoe.
There is no changing which shoe you wear with a metal AFO without considerable work on the part of an orthotist.
Some, if not most patients will tell you that they prefer a plastic AFO because it is more low profile and you can use different footwear with a plastic style brace.
Not every shoe works with a plastic AFO.
*Note: This is health information.
Each patient care scenario is different and medical advice regarding bracing should be provided to you from your local, licensed orthotist.
You will most likely notice that your stability and walking balance have improved.
Other patients will note that they walk faster and with less energy as well.
What Does An AFO looks Like? To start, an AFO typically encompasses the majority of the foot.
This does not mean that the brace looks bulky; quite the opposite actually.
For traditional AFOs, the foot is encompassed as mentioned earlier, except the dorsum (top) of the foot in most cases is left untouched by plastic.
For many adults (depending on what brace specialist you work with) you will be provided with an AFO that is approximately 3/16" of an inch thick.
3/16" is less than a quarter of an inch, or 4/16".
If you get out a ruler right now, you will see that the typical size of 3/16" is actually not bulky at all.
Now we will explain how tall a typical AFO should be for a patient.
You will get the technical version first, followed quickly by a more simple version: A.
) (Medical Version) The brace will traditionally come up past the ankle to a point that is distal to your fibular head by approximately 1 " - Textbook will usually state that the AFO needs to come up 20 mm distal to the neck of the fibular head.
B.
) (Simple English Version): All this means is that the brace will usually come up the leg to what is essentially the widest part of the calf.
What Are Traditional AFOs (ankle foot orthoses) Made Of? These braces are usually made from plastic or metal and leather.
Most of the time, these days, AFOs are made from plastic and people shy away from metal and leather AFOs.
Metal and leather AFOs can be well made and very effective for patients however, so do not take this the wrong way.
The metal and leather AFOs, however, are typically a little more bulky and are physically attached to a shoe.
There is no changing which shoe you wear with a metal AFO without considerable work on the part of an orthotist.
Some, if not most patients will tell you that they prefer a plastic AFO because it is more low profile and you can use different footwear with a plastic style brace.
Not every shoe works with a plastic AFO.
*Note: This is health information.
Each patient care scenario is different and medical advice regarding bracing should be provided to you from your local, licensed orthotist.
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