Orthotics is the medical field concerned with the application and manufacture of orthoses, devices which support or correct the function of a limb or the torso. The term is derived from the Greek "ortho", to straighten, and demonstrates the connection of the field to orthopedics. Sciences such as materials engineering, gait analysis, anatomy and physiology, and psychology contribute to the work done by orthotists, the professionals engaged in the field or orthotics. Individuals who benefit from an orthosis have sustained a physical impairment such as a stroke, spinal cord injury, or a congenital abnormality such as spina bifida or cerebral palsy.

Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO)


Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are orthoses or braces, usually plastic, encompassing the ankle joint and all or part of the foot. AFOs are externally applied, and are intended to control position and motion of the ankle, compensate for weakness, or correct deformities.They control the ankle directly, and can be designed to control the knee joint indirectly as well.

AFOs are commonly used in the treatment of disorders that affect muscle function such as stroke, spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, polio, multiple sclerosis and peripheral neuropathy. AFOs can be used to provide support to weak or wasted limbs or to position a limb with tight, contracted muscles into a more normal position. They are also used to immobilize the ankle and lower leg in the presence of arthritis or fracture, and to correct foot drop. An AFO may also be referred to as a foot-drop brace.

BIOMECHANICS OF ANKLE FOOT ORTHOSIS
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)