Ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) are braces that offer contracture management and healing protection for a range of foot and ankle issues. AFOs made for children are designed to provide stable support for a child’s lower extremities while also allowing him or her to develop proper walking skills. At Allen Orthopedic Labs, we carefully fit and adjust AFOs to ensure the best possible outcome for your child.
AFO uses:
- Stabilizes the ankle for weight-bearing
- Corrects toe-walking
- Stops excessive plantar flexion (motion where the foot may drop down like pushing a gas pedal)
- Prevents hyperextension (backward bending) of the knee
- Indicated for patients who have already developed a pathological walking pattern
AFOs treat:
- High muscle tone in children with Cerebral Palsy
- Low muscle tone in children with Downs Syndrome
- Other diagnoses that may be causing abnormal gait or improper alignment of the foot and ankle
Pediatric Ankle-Foot Orthoses offered by Allen Orthopedic Labs:
Supramalleolar orthoses (SMO) are used to correct foot and ankle alignment in children and adolescents with low muscle tone and moderate to severe ankle pronation.
The orthosis is typically a thermoplastic shell that extends from just above the ankle bones to underneath the foot. The shell covers the ankle bones but is cut away at the back portion of the ankle and over the instep. The strapping requirements will depend on the condition being treated. Padding is included to protect bony areas.
Pediatric Supramalleolar Orthoses offered by Allen Orthopedic Labs:
Foot problems are common in children due to their high levels of physical activity, but it is easy for the signs and symptoms of underlying foot conditions to go unnoticed because kids are so resilient.
To support your child’s foot health, keep an eye out for symptoms and consult with Allen Orthopedic Labs if you notice foot arch flattening, cramping, pain, limping, or a change in physical activity level or the child’s desire to play outside. Work with us. Our braces can help reverse and heal foot problems.
Pediatric Foot Orthoses offered by Allen Orthopedic Labs”
Clubfoot is a fairly common condition in newborns that occurs about once per 1,000 births in this country and even more frequently in some other areas. If not properly treated, clubfoot can have life-altering results. The good news is that although the foot looks significantly deformed, it is actually just a soft-tissue problem. All the bones are there, they just need to be encouraged to return to the correct position. While your baby is young, there is a natural flexibility we can take advantage of to get things back to where they belong.
At Allen Orthopedic Labs, we treat clubfoot using MD Orthopaedics Club Foot Shoes and the “Dobbs Bar,” a new dynamic clubfoot brace that finally addresses all problems traditionally associated with treating clubfoot.
A knee orthosis is a specially designed external device constructed of varying lightweight and durable metals and high-density materials.
These devices provide biomechanical assistance to stabilize and support an injured knee and its surrounding ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Knee orthoses extend above and below the knee joint to provide healing support from injuries, diseases, inflammations, post-surgical recovery, and rehabilitation.
Pediatric Knee Orthoses offered by Allen Orthopedic Labs:
A knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) is a long-leg orthosis that spans the knee, the ankle, and the foot in an effort to stabilize the joints and assist the muscles of the leg. While there are several common indications for such an orthosis, muscle weakness and paralysis of the leg are most frequently identified. The most common causes of muscle weakness include:
- Poliomyelitis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Spinal Cord Injury
Each KAFO from Allen Orthopedic Labs is custom-made to the specific requirements of the child. There are numerous design options available that make the orthosis functional and comfortable. A detailed examination and assessment of the child allows us to suggest the best available component combination.
Pediatric Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses offered by Allen Orthopedic Labs:
A hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis (HKAFO) is a KAFO (knee-ankle-foot-orthosis) with an extension of hip joint and pelvic components.
This device is used on children requiring more stability of the hip and lower torso. The brace will provide pelvic stability in several planes, including rotation, side-to-side, and front-to-back motions. The hip section and hip joint of the brace stabilize and align the lower leg, reducing unwanted motion and energy expenditure and increasing steps per minute.
Pediatric Hip-Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses offered by Allen Orthopedic Labs:
