responses to Richie AFO
Monica Motloch
Description
Collection
Title:
responses to Richie AFO
Creator:
Monica Motloch
Date:
9/23/2000
Text:
Thank you to everybody who responded to my question
about what a Richie AFO was. I really appreciate the personal experiences shared from those of you who have used it. Here's what some members of the list responded with:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've fit a few Richie AFOs and have mixed feelings on their proposed
effectiveness. I could see where it would help mild prono-valgus conditions and others needing a little more control than what a foot orthosis could manage, however, dropfoot conditions or more involved cases would probably benefit more from a custom molded design with longer lever arms.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The people marketing the Richie will sell it to anyone. They market to
PTs, MDs, sports trainers, etc. As for my opinion I would not fit it
unless I had a specific Rx. and could no get the doc to change it.
That's me--I'm the same way with DonJoy etc.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Use a Short legged AFO instead--You get more bang for your buck. I've used both and the Ritchie brace is nothing more than a UCBL with a soft ankle attachment.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have used the Ritchie brace twice, both situations involved an ambulatory person w/ unilateral severe pronation/valgus. It is basically a custom foot orthotic w/ short plastic medial and lateral plastic uprights (stops just 2-3 inches above the ankle) and single axis joints. The straps are very wide in order to keep the device tight.
I can't seem to locate the brochure, but when you find them, be sure to
order it w/ all the flanges (I.e., lateral heel and medial @ long. arch for
pronation/valgus) to help contain the misaligned foot. The first time I
didn't order all the little bells and whistles, and it did not work as well
as the second one where I did. They used to advertise in 'Biomechanics Magazine' quite a bit. Good luck.
1 800 447-0151 / PAL Health Tech., Inc
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I found it to be less than biomechanically sound & not much more than a custom made air cast stirrup - the technical staff were not helpful & did not seem to understand or want to understand my questions / comments - good luck
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I checked with a C.Ped who works at one of the Richey and Company stores and it seems there name has nothing to do with the Richie brace, of course you probably know this by now. Apparently it is marketed for Posterior Tibial Tendonitis and for Pes Planus.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basically a custom made foot orthotic attached to bilateral thin plastic
uprights with free motion ankle joints. It is suppose to provide medial foot and ankle support for clients with ligamentous laxity that allows foot to collapse into pronation. Maybe useful for clients with mild flexible deformities. It lacks 3 pt. pressure in order to control triplanar
deformities of the foot.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In case you have not already been flooded with this info.
PAL Health Systems markets the Richie brace to podiatrists. They even give out billing info so they can make big $$ on them. Orthotists can't make the big $ but you can offer the brace. Essentially it is a plantar orthosis with an ankle air cast component attached. Call 309-347- 8785
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
about what a Richie AFO was. I really appreciate the personal experiences shared from those of you who have used it. Here's what some members of the list responded with:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've fit a few Richie AFOs and have mixed feelings on their proposed
effectiveness. I could see where it would help mild prono-valgus conditions and others needing a little more control than what a foot orthosis could manage, however, dropfoot conditions or more involved cases would probably benefit more from a custom molded design with longer lever arms.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The people marketing the Richie will sell it to anyone. They market to
PTs, MDs, sports trainers, etc. As for my opinion I would not fit it
unless I had a specific Rx. and could no get the doc to change it.
That's me--I'm the same way with DonJoy etc.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Use a Short legged AFO instead--You get more bang for your buck. I've used both and the Ritchie brace is nothing more than a UCBL with a soft ankle attachment.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have used the Ritchie brace twice, both situations involved an ambulatory person w/ unilateral severe pronation/valgus. It is basically a custom foot orthotic w/ short plastic medial and lateral plastic uprights (stops just 2-3 inches above the ankle) and single axis joints. The straps are very wide in order to keep the device tight.
I can't seem to locate the brochure, but when you find them, be sure to
order it w/ all the flanges (I.e., lateral heel and medial @ long. arch for
pronation/valgus) to help contain the misaligned foot. The first time I
didn't order all the little bells and whistles, and it did not work as well
as the second one where I did. They used to advertise in 'Biomechanics Magazine' quite a bit. Good luck.
1 800 447-0151 / PAL Health Tech., Inc
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I found it to be less than biomechanically sound & not much more than a custom made air cast stirrup - the technical staff were not helpful & did not seem to understand or want to understand my questions / comments - good luck
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I checked with a C.Ped who works at one of the Richey and Company stores and it seems there name has nothing to do with the Richie brace, of course you probably know this by now. Apparently it is marketed for Posterior Tibial Tendonitis and for Pes Planus.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basically a custom made foot orthotic attached to bilateral thin plastic
uprights with free motion ankle joints. It is suppose to provide medial foot and ankle support for clients with ligamentous laxity that allows foot to collapse into pronation. Maybe useful for clients with mild flexible deformities. It lacks 3 pt. pressure in order to control triplanar
deformities of the foot.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In case you have not already been flooded with this info.
PAL Health Systems markets the Richie brace to podiatrists. They even give out billing info so they can make big $$ on them. Orthotists can't make the big $ but you can offer the brace. Essentially it is a plantar orthosis with an ankle air cast component attached. Call 309-347- 8785
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Citation
Monica Motloch, “responses to Richie AFO,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 15, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/215025.
