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Afo Braces






by John F Smith


Having a history of ankle sprains and experiencing a broken ankle is very difficult. It is hard to move or walk well, ankles hurt anytime you walk or even hurt first step when you woke up in the morning. Having an ankle arthritis or advised to have a surgery or needs an ankle fused, many people are often not given many options for pain in the ankles all the time. One of the option that may help which is a non surgical ankle pain relief is AFO (Ankle Foot Orthosis) braces. This AFO is a brace designed specifically for your ankle and be formed to eliminate the pain that is causing your discomfort. In fact, the pain is usually completely resolved while the brace is being utilized.

AFO braces 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. Ankle foot orthoses are the most commonly used orthoses, is generally constructed of lightweight polypropylene-based plastic in the shape of an "L", with the upright portion behind the calf and the lower portion running under the foot. They are attached to the calf with a strap, and are made to fit inside accommodative shoes.

The unbroken "L" shape of some designs provides rigidity while other designs with a jointed ankle provide different types of control. Obtaining a good fit with an AFO involves one of two approaches first, provision of an off-the-shelf or prefabricated AFO matched in size to the end user and or second custom manufacture of an individualized AFO from a positive model obtaining by means of a negative cast or the use of computer assisted imaging, design, and milling. The plastic used to create a durable AFO must be heated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, making direct molding of the material on the end user impossible.

AFO braces help support a weak ankle and keep it from rolling side to side but allow the ankle to go forward and back. It can be made either from a very hard type of thermo-plastic or it can be made from steel and leather. To function effectively, it is very important to maintain a healthy body. Life is too short to let pain keep you from doing the activities or things that you'll love to do. Pain is never normal and should never stop you from being a part of life. Often the pain associated with the ankle can be helped.




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