Who Needs an AFO Ankle Foot Orthosis?
Who Needs an AFO Ankle Foot Orthosis?
Who Needs an AFO Ankle Foot Orthosis?
An ankle foot orthosis (AFO) is a brace that is constructed for the purpose of providing support, stability, and to restrict the movement of the lower extremities, particularly, the ankle and the foot. These special braces are usually L shaped and usually are constructed oflightweight polypropylene plastic and are designed to surround the foot and ankle, thus restricting the motion of the tendons, joints, and bones in that part of the leg.
AFOs come in different shapes and configurations and some are even custom made to fit an individual's particular conditional requirements. In the treatment of foot and ankle related conditions, an AFO can be a tremendous help in providing comfort and healing
So, who needs an AFO ankle foot orthosis? That may seem like a simple question; however, the answer is one that can be a complex issue. In brief, we will try to look at some of thereasons that someone may need the assistance of an AFO.
Some of the more common reasons that a doctor might prescribe an AFO for a patient is to treat a severe condition of flatfoot, an ankle that is not stable, or a foot or an ankle that is experiencing painful or unusual movement. In these situations, the AFO controls the movement, thus reducing or eliminating the pain and improving the motion of the ankle or foot.
Anothersituation where an AFO may be prescribed is posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), a condition that is caused by a change in the tendon, impairing the tendon's ability to support the arch of the foot. This condition is also referred to as adult acquired flat foot and is a progressive disorder that can keep getting worse if left untreated.
Other situations that may call for the use of an AFO include arthritis that is in the foot or in the ankle, an injury to the ankle or the foot, such as a sprain or a fracture, lateral ankle instability, and tendonitis in the foot or ankle. Additionally, doctors may prescribe an AFO when a condition known as drop foot is diagnosed in a patient.
Drop foot is a condition in which the patient is unable to raise or has a limited ability to raise the foot at the ankle joint. This condition makes it difficult for the individual to walk as in the toes have a tendency to drag the ground which can cause a person to trip or be unstable as they walk.
In addition to these situations, people who suffer from disorders that impair muscle function can benefit from an AFO, disorders that include a stroke, muscular dystrophy, and an injury to the spine, cerebral palsy, neuropathy, polio, and multiple sclerosis. In these conditions, the AFO provides the needed support to the weak or wasted limbs or holds a limb that is affected with tight, contracted muscles in the correct position.
People who are suffering from these disorders are the ones who need an ankle foot orthosis. Having a properly fitted ankle foot orthosis prescribed by a qualified health care provider can help to alleviate the suffering and bring healing to those who are suffering from these disorders. There is no reason for an individual to continue on in their suffering when there is a way to ease it or heal it, AFOs can be the means to help those suffering from ankle or foot disorders.
If you want to find out more about AFOs, you should contact Bracemasters International, LLC, a company that specializes in AFOs and other lower extremity orthotic devices. You can visit their website at www.bracemasters.com, email at info@bracemasters.com or you can reach them toll free at 888-790-6880.
How To Talk Dirty To Men Don'T Feel Undermined By Your Undersize! Natural Enhancement Can Dramatically Add Inches! Just Do It Fapturbo Settings Guide - Most optimized Fapturbo Settings Figuring Out What's Wrong With your Washing Machine Fatal Accident Claims Don't Let A Broken Washing Machine Get You Down Planning Time Warner Cable Increase Libido The Natural Way Dr Natura Colonix Stretch Marks Removal Cream Date Night is a Must for Singles Too! Dirty Talk To Realize Your Fantasies A clown is a comic character