Prescribing Ankle Foot Orthosis

[Eve Wilson]

Ankle Foot Orthosis are sometimes indicated in aged care.  You can access an interesting article (http://www.podiatrytoday.com/keys-prescribing-afos-senior-patients).

The bottom line is that ankle flexibility, sensory function and muscle strength are significant independent predictors of balance, functional ability and mortality.

 

Ankle foot orthoses can be of great benefit in treating the following conditions in our senior patient population.
• Foot and ankle osteoarthritis
• Foot and ankle postural instability/imbalance
• Flaccid foot drop
• Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction with a collapsed talonavicular joint/ accessory navicular

Podiatrists can assess and provide these orthoses effectively. As physiotherapists - we can most certainly identify the need (as outlined above) for these orthoses and then refer on to a reputable orthoses company. One that VIVIR recommends is OAPL (http://www.oapl.com.au/) Fitzroy VIC - 9419 2400. OAPL have clinics all across the country - so you can contact them for relevant details in each state.

Happy AFO prescribing!