'observational gait analysis'

A Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis (KAFO) is a custom made brace that starts above the knee and extends all the way down the leg to the end of the toes. These braces will normally include a knee joint and possibly an ankle joint as well. A KAFO is prescribed by your physician when there is significant weakness and/or instability at the knee and ankle joints. The KAFO will allow patients to stand by locking the knee joint in the brace when the thigh muscles are too weak to support the knee. This brace can also reduce significant knee hyperextension (genu recurvatum) during the gait cycle. KAFOs can be extended to the hip to provide additional support to the hip joint if necessary.  The KAFO is commonly used in the treatment of: 1-Blount’s Disease 2-Genu Recurvatum 3-Post-Polio 4-Spinal Cord Injury 5-Arthrogryposis 6-Cerebral Palsy 7-Polio 8-Spina Bifida  At your initial assessment you will meet with your Orthotist to go through a complete assessment of your strength and range of motion and undergo an observational gait analysis. There are many different designs of KAFOs, each with different functions and levels of support. In collaboration with your Orthotist at OrthoProActive and your health team, we will determine which KAFO design will help to provide you with the best functional outcomes.

Partial Foot Prosthesis – Types, Design & Benefits A partial foot prosthesis is a custom artificial limb designed to restore mobility, balance, and comfort after a partial foot amputation. Depending on the amputation level, prosthetic options include toe fillers, transmetatarsal prosthesis, Lisfranc prosthesis, Chopart prosthesis, Syme prosthesis, and ankle disarticulation prosthesis. Made with advanced materials like silicone, carbon fiber, EVA, and pelite, these prostheses provide stability, natural gait, and patient comfort. Each partial foot prosthesis is tailored with a custom socket, foot component, and suspension system to ensure proper fit, shock absorption, and energy return. With the guidance of a certified prosthetist, patients receive personalized solutions that support walking, standing, and daily activities. Regular rehabilitation and follow-up care ensure long-term comfort, durability, and functionality.

A double-action ankle joint ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is a type of orthotic device designed to support and stabilize the ankle and foot. It features two separate joints, one for dorsiflexion (lifting the foot up) and one for plantarflexion (pointing the foot down). This dual-joint mechanism allows for more natural and controlled movement of the ankle, helping to address various conditions affecting gait and stability. Here are some key points about a double-action AFO: Functionality: The double-action joints provide the ability to control both upward and downward motion of the foot. This helps in managing conditions like foot drop, where the foot cannot be lifted properly, or other gait abnormalities. Customization: These AFOs are often custom-made to fit the individual\'s specific anatomy and needs. Adjustments can be made to fine-tune the range of motion and alignment. Materials: They are typically made from lightweight and durable materials such as thermoplastics or carbon fiber, which offer a balance of strength and flexibility. Indications: They are used for conditions like cerebral palsy, stroke, peripheral neuropathy, or other neurological or musculoskeletal disorders that affect ankle and foot function. Design: The double-action mechanism allows for controlled movement and can help in improving gait, stability, and overall mobility.

Charcot foot, which is a condition that affects the bones in the foot and ankle and often leads to joint deformities and instability, specialized insoles can be crucial in providing support and preventing further damage. Here are a few types of insoles that might be used: Custom Orthotics: These are specially designed to match the unique contours of your feet. They help distribute pressure evenly, stabilize the foot, and prevent further deformities. A podiatrist or orthotist can create these based on a detailed assessment of your foot structure and needs. Offloading Insoles: These are designed to reduce pressure on specific areas of the foot. For Charcot foot, offloading insoles can help redistribute pressure away from the affected areas to help prevent ulcers and further complications. Rocker Sole Insoles: Rocker soles have a rounded heel-to-toe transition which can help reduce stress on the foot while walking. This can be particularly helpful for individuals with Charcot foot to improve gait and reduce discomfort. Cushioned Insoles: Providing additional cushioning can help absorb shock and reduce the impact on the foot. This can be beneficial if you experience pain or discomfort due to Charcot foot. Rigid Insoles: Sometimes, a more rigid insole is needed to offer strong support and prevent excessive movement of the foot, which can be helpful in managing the condition and preventing further deformity.

AFO WITHOUT JOINT:  Ankle foot orthoses AFOs are external biomechanical devices utilized on lower limbs to stabilize the joints, improve the gait and physical functioning of the affected lower limb. AFO is used as supportive devices and aid for ambulation through different gait stages by providing foot clearance, used to limit or assist ankle and foot ROM like; dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, improve balance, decrease the risk of falling, help with weak musculature of lower legs, and to return to previous activity or facilitate patient mobility.  They are found in different types and different materials and can be modified according to the use and the development of the person if it is used for children. They made from thermoformed plastic material that enables to add modification and adjustments. AFOs are used as night splints to prevent contractures in some cases, patients with stroke, and other neurological conditions such as SCI and children with cerebral palsy.

Safety Stride KAFO  The SafetyStride is a mechanical stance control orthotic knee joint that utilizes a low-profile cabling system to automatically unlock itself at the end of stance phase. The key feature of the SafetyStride is its ability to resist knee flexion at any angle. The SafetyStride does not require full 180° knee extension to resist knee flexion in stance phase. Designed to unlock at terminal stance, an internal lever re-engages during swing phase to ensure knee joint stability prior to heel contact. Individuals who intermittently fail to reach full extension will now have the added security and stability they require while ambulating. The SafetyStride works in conjunction with the FullStride and can be easily installed on a FullStride equipped KAFO.  It give more natural Gait  If we add a Pneumatic cylinder it will assit the quadriceps muscle and patient feel more comfortable.

Stance control KAFO (Full Stride)  The FullStride is a mechanical stance control orthotic knee joint that utilizes a low-profile cabling system to automatically unlock at the end of stance phase. At the end of swing phase, when the orthotic knee joint reaches full extension, the locking mechanism reengages to provide knee stability for stance phase. When necessary, the stance control capability of the FullStride can be easily converted into a traditional automatic bail lock.  It give more natural Gait  If we add a Pneumatic cylinder it will assit the quadriceps muscle and patient feel more comfortable.

Active KAFO  The Active plus-Knee comes furnished with a pneumatic spring on the lateral side of the joint to assist with knee extension during the swing phase of gait.  A medial knee joint is also included to help control knee alignment and give Medio lateral stability.  The active plus -Knee is a free motion knee joint that is designed to provide extension assist, not prevent knee flexion. Available with your choice of a 75N, 125N (for standard applications), or 175N pneumatic spring.

Neurotronic KAFO  The Neurotronic knee joint system is a sophisticated electro mechanical knee control component designed specifically for people with knee extensor weakness, knee instability or loss of knee control and sets the benchmark for this class of limb control technology.  The Neurotronic is incorporated into a discreet lightweight carbon frame, locking automatically in stance phase and free moving in swing phase. In stance phase, the Neurotronic stabilises the knee in any position to enable the user to safely load the effected limb even when the knee joint is flexed or bent. During swing phase, the Neurotronic allows the knee to move freely to achieve a natural gait pattern without the compensations seen with conventional designs.  The electromechanical knee joint system is controlled either by a pressure sensor under the foot piece or by motion sensors integrated in the controller. The control mechanism incorporates an inclinometer and accelerometer motion sensors that detect the movement and position of the lower leg.  When standing with the orthosis or just before heel strike, the motion sensors lock the Neurotronic system knee joint. The motion detection is sensitive to speed and the joint will lock regardless of length and speed of steps and regardless of a hill gradient.