AFO for Tendo Achilles Injury
Troy Fink, CO
Description
Collection
Title:
AFO for Tendo Achilles Injury
Creator:
Troy Fink, CO
Text:
Hello List:
An orthopedic surgeon has written Rx for articulating AFO with plantarflexion
assist. Pt is otherwise active male, 3mos s/p injury with some heeling
evident. Doctor says it is okay for pt. to dorsiflex to neutral but not beyond.
I suggested dorsiflexion stop at about neutral and unrestricted
plantarflexion range of motion. I explained that a plantar assist would not be strong
enough to provide heel-off during stance phase. I also stated that I feared a
plantar assist would only complicate swing phase clearance.
The Doctor insists a plantarflexion assist is appropriate. I don't feel good
about providing an orthosis in this configuration. I don't think this is
appropriate as the patient will likely trip and fall.
Any thoughts? How would you treat a pt. with this diagnosis?
Troy Fink, CO
An orthopedic surgeon has written Rx for articulating AFO with plantarflexion
assist. Pt is otherwise active male, 3mos s/p injury with some heeling
evident. Doctor says it is okay for pt. to dorsiflex to neutral but not beyond.
I suggested dorsiflexion stop at about neutral and unrestricted
plantarflexion range of motion. I explained that a plantar assist would not be strong
enough to provide heel-off during stance phase. I also stated that I feared a
plantar assist would only complicate swing phase clearance.
The Doctor insists a plantarflexion assist is appropriate. I don't feel good
about providing an orthosis in this configuration. I don't think this is
appropriate as the patient will likely trip and fall.
Any thoughts? How would you treat a pt. with this diagnosis?
Troy Fink, CO
Citation
Troy Fink, CO, “AFO for Tendo Achilles Injury,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 5, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/225074.
