AFO question
Patti Larkin
Description
Collection
Title:
AFO question
Creator:
Patti Larkin
Text:
Hello,
I am presently working with a 8 yr. old girl diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.
This young lady presents with severe pes plano valgus (navicular on floor and
head of talus exposed upon weight bearing) on her left side coupled with a
moderate amount of crouching. However, on her right side she is quite a bit
stronger and only presents with a mild/moderate form of pes plano valgus and
very mild crouching (may be caused by a compensatory gait deviation due to
LLD and left leg deformity). Her balance is good and does not need any
assistive devices to ambulate.
I am comfortable recommending a Floor Reaction AFO for her left side but I am
not sure about her right side. On the right, she is flexible in all range of
motion and grades at least 4- in all MMT. Isolating her right side, an
articulating AFO may sound like the best choice.
However, my question is this:
If I was to apply a FRAFO on her left, and an articulating AFO on her right,
would the significant difference in the control of the AFO's significantly
compromise her gait? She is presently wearing SMO's and in my opinion, are
of little benefit to her. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who
has had experience with this type of case.
Thank you
Patti Larkin
I am presently working with a 8 yr. old girl diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.
This young lady presents with severe pes plano valgus (navicular on floor and
head of talus exposed upon weight bearing) on her left side coupled with a
moderate amount of crouching. However, on her right side she is quite a bit
stronger and only presents with a mild/moderate form of pes plano valgus and
very mild crouching (may be caused by a compensatory gait deviation due to
LLD and left leg deformity). Her balance is good and does not need any
assistive devices to ambulate.
I am comfortable recommending a Floor Reaction AFO for her left side but I am
not sure about her right side. On the right, she is flexible in all range of
motion and grades at least 4- in all MMT. Isolating her right side, an
articulating AFO may sound like the best choice.
However, my question is this:
If I was to apply a FRAFO on her left, and an articulating AFO on her right,
would the significant difference in the control of the AFO's significantly
compromise her gait? She is presently wearing SMO's and in my opinion, are
of little benefit to her. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who
has had experience with this type of case.
Thank you
Patti Larkin
Citation
Patti Larkin, “AFO question,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/218488.
