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Types of Orthotic Bracing for Foot & Ankle Problems

An ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), or foot-drop brace, is used to control, or limit movement at the ankle joint in children and adults with muscle weakness. A common reason for an AFO use in adults is to improve functional weakness from a stroke or degenerative muscle disease. Bracing can be used to correct deformity or improve function in children with congenital deformities or weakness. The three most common types of AFOs are solid, hinged or articulated, and spiral.

  1. Solid AFO

    • The solid or fixed hinge version of an AFO maintains the foot and ankle in a fixed position. Plastic is molded in one piece to cover the back of the calf and bottom of the foot. The ankle joint angle is set to neutral, or 90 degrees. The advantage of a solid AFO is to provide assistance during the swing phase of gait by keeping an individual's toes from catching the ground, according to PodiatryToday. The disadvantage of a solid AFO is the fact that by limiting ankle movement an individual will have some abnormalities in gait. Also an AFO is a short leg brace and does not provide enough stability in a tall individual over six feet four inches or individuals over 250 pounds.

    Hinged AFO

    • The hinged or articulated AFO allows for movement in an anterior/ posterior plane to allow dorsiflexion and plantarflexion at the ankle while keeping the foot in a fixed position. Plastic is molded to the back of the calf and foot but is two pieces joined with a hinge at the ankle joint. The advantage of a hinged AFO is it allows for a more normal gait pattern. The disadvantage of a hinged AFO is that a person must have some muscle strength at the ankle to effectively use the brace.

    Spiral AFO

    • The spiral AFO allows for limited but not total elimination of movement at the ankle joint. Plastic is molded to the bottom of the foot and spiraled around the calf to the front of the lower leg. The spiral fit allows for more flexibility and is better for some individuals who need sensory feedback during gait, according to pediatric-orthopedics.com. The disadvantage of a spiral AFO is the brace is difficult to fabricate and hard to adjust.

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