- This topic has 2 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 3 weeks, 4 days ago by
.
-
Posts
-
-
Good afternoon, I had a question over the type of AFO to give the pt for Case 7.
Observational gait analysis reveals increased hip and knee flexion during right swing phase, foot flat initial contact on the right, and decreased right step length. Based on your objective findings and the patient’s reports of falling, you suspect an ankle-foot orthosis may be beneficial. Which type of AFO would you trial first?
I picked option C, which is an articulated AFO with dorsiflexion assist and plantarflexion stop. My rationale was the DF assist aiding DF and the plantarflexor assist to provide a hard stop to not allow the weak DF to have the ankle go into excessive PF leading to foot drag.
The correct answer on the case study was D- Articulated AFO with dorsiflexion assist.
Thank you for your help.
-
Hi Jacob,
If we follow the Rancho ROADMAP for this one, we will see that a PF stop is not indicated (though he may benefit from a DF stop). The patient doesn’t have any spasticity causing excess PF during swing phase or a lack of proprioception to not know where his foot is in space, so the DF assist along with his 2/5 ankle dorsiflexors should be sufficient to clear his foot. He isn’t demonstrating any knee hyperextension during stance phase that might warrant a PF stop.
A DF stop may be warranted based on the ROADMAP, though I think this would be more indicated for patients presenting with knee buckling or hyperextension during stance. I would elect to provide the simplest brace possible to meet the patient’s needs.
Chrissy
-
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.