Lower Limb Orthotics - AFOs w/ Doctor U Wanna Know (ep. 7)

Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are some of the most common braces to support the foot and ankle. Learn more about the design and material options available for you.

Video by Heikki Uustal, MD.
Edited by Chris Uustal.

Background Music:
Easy Lemon:

[IWC-tb]

I am now studying prosthesis and orthosis, and this video does help me for understanding variety of types of AFO. Can’t wait to see more video! Thanks a lot!

[caroljeanscott]

I wear a leg brace because of a toe drag, but I found the plastic brace very uncomfortable. My foot would start to pain and I still wore out the toe of my shoe. I got to the point where I was trying to walk so my foot wouldn't hurt. The brace that is attached to the shoe is perfect for me. It lets me do everything such as square dancing which I love. One of the people that I square dance with is a physio therapist and she said the metal brace is the best. I broke my hip in 2018 and was in the hospital for a month and the physio therapist in the hospital that was looking after me also said the metal brace was better. I am glad I have the metal so I can live life to the fullest, no matter how old fashion it is.

[lindaprice]

I wear an Arizona AFO custom boot for PTTD/ flatfoot syndrome. I would not be able to to walk without it. I am in Stage 3 and have no pain in either foot.

[cow]

Hey doctor i have a question.

I saw somebody and was thinking about this.

In a patient with high tone but still has both dorsiflexion and planterflexion intact, which afo is considered more appropriate?
(Obviously depends on person and case)


Rigid or articulated afo with hinge?

[jameshamm]

Hey Doc: I have a fused ankle with a muscle flap. I have undergone 6 surgeries, to include removal of all the fusion hardware and a partial fibulectomy. Since these procedures, my foot kind of wanders and movers around whenever I walk and the whole foot/ankle feels weak overall. I have braces from when I broke my ankle the 1st time and other subsequent surgeries and have been contemplating if such a brace-system could help stabilize my foot. I took great notice of the carbon AFO at time-stamp 4:20 and am curious if a similar device could work for me. My real issue is the medial muscle flap is pretty large and thus my foot cannot fit into a traditional "U" shaped brace. What do you think?