Bracing & Orthotics
Bracing and Orthotics
By: Lusine Karapetyan
- Bracing and Orthotics are devices worn to restrict or transfer the forces so the patient is able to mobilize with minimal discomfort.
Categories:
- AFO- ankle foot orthosis
- it can control the ankle motion either limiting the plantar flexion and/or dorsiflexion or it can assist certain motions
- A strap from the ankle to distal portion of the shoe will restrict plantar flexion
- Posterior leaf spring: it helps the patient during gait as it springs forward the lift the foot.
- Plantarflexion resistance can by provided by an AFO with a posterior strap which prevents a toe drag during swing phase and imposes knee flexion
- Anterior stop at the ankle can limit dorsiflexion
KAFO-knee ankle foot orthosis
- Has medial and lateral upright plus hinges that provide medal -later and hyperextension restriction while permitting knee flexion.
- Knee locks are present to provide security regardless of the terrain.
- Drop ring lock- ensures that the lock will not drop into place while the patient rises form a chair.
- The person who has a knee flexion contracture can achieve knee stability with a fan lock or serrated lock.
- There is also stability provided by anterior band or four strap leather knee pad which apply a posterior directed force to complete anterior directed forces.
HKAFO- hip, knee, ankle foot orthosis
- The addition of a pelvic band to the KAFO makes a HKAFO
- To reduce internal rotation, there is a strap on the prosthesis
- To eliminate external rotation, the strap joins the lateral uprights of the KAFOs, passing anteriorly at the level of the groin.
THAKO- trunk, hip, knee, ankle, foot orthosis
– Lumbosacral orthosis with HKAFO
– There is a pelvic band on the trunk orthosis which serves as the pelvic band
– THKAFO is very difficult to don and is heavy, it is very rarely worn
Website:
References:
O’Sullivan, S. B., Schmitz, T. J., Fulk, G. D., & O’Sullivan, S. B. (2019). Physical rehabilitation. F.A. Davis.