RESPONSES: AFO's (Helios and Dynamic Bracing Soluti
Daniela Wells
Description
Collection
Title:
RESPONSES: AFO's (Helios and Dynamic Bracing Soluti
Creator:
Daniela Wells
Date:
5/6/2013
Text:
Hello!
I would like to thank everyone that wrote in regards to
my question. I was overwhelmed by the number of the responses, 20 so far! I was
planning to “copy and paste” those to share with the entire OANDP-L, but there
are too many so I am just posting a summary of responses to share the knowledge
I have gained.
1) Majority:
Most said both products: Helios (from Ortho Rehab Designs/Mitchell Warner) and the DBS (Dynamic Bracing Solutions/Marmaduke Loke) are excellent products. Both top of the line with a unique tri planar design and also the fabrication of those braces are unique, they use 30 different layers of aviation grade carbon fiber and Kevlar. The braces are not off the shelf and there is “not a pair or 2” to be order for testing. The process involves: an evaluation (video, range of motion, strength tests, extensive measurements etc.), a detailed 2 stage molds casting technique. There is a “test” brace, and those test braces are basically a “permanent thermoplastic” custom floor reaction AFO. Only when all works perfectly the carbon fiber braces will be fabricated. The process also involves learning how to walk; there is a series of exercises and learning techniques.But everyone is recommending Marmaduke’s brace because he was the one that helped design and further developed the product, and is an outstanding professional with years of experience. Also some people said that Mitchell used to work with Marmaduke and learned the technology from him, but they don’t know much of about Mitchell to advice. 2) Some other postings:
Expressed concerns that the due to the fact I hyperextend my knees those 2 models of bracing would not work well because the angle of those kinds of AFOs cannot be significantly
changed after they were made and if the functional requirement changes significantly, the AFO will have to be changed/the process have to be redone. 1) Few posting: a) look into some other models, which I did check them but they are not the same as the above mentioned AFOsb) have my orthotic making something alike or told I should request a “test” brace to see if they work.Ok I guess I will be calling Dynamic Bracing Solution and schedule an appointment for an evaluation. I will post the results later! Again THANK YOU SO MUCH!Daniela Wells
Houston TX
I would like to thank everyone that wrote in regards to
my question. I was overwhelmed by the number of the responses, 20 so far! I was
planning to “copy and paste” those to share with the entire OANDP-L, but there
are too many so I am just posting a summary of responses to share the knowledge
I have gained.
1) Majority:
Most said both products: Helios (from Ortho Rehab Designs/Mitchell Warner) and the DBS (Dynamic Bracing Solutions/Marmaduke Loke) are excellent products. Both top of the line with a unique tri planar design and also the fabrication of those braces are unique, they use 30 different layers of aviation grade carbon fiber and Kevlar. The braces are not off the shelf and there is “not a pair or 2” to be order for testing. The process involves: an evaluation (video, range of motion, strength tests, extensive measurements etc.), a detailed 2 stage molds casting technique. There is a “test” brace, and those test braces are basically a “permanent thermoplastic” custom floor reaction AFO. Only when all works perfectly the carbon fiber braces will be fabricated. The process also involves learning how to walk; there is a series of exercises and learning techniques.But everyone is recommending Marmaduke’s brace because he was the one that helped design and further developed the product, and is an outstanding professional with years of experience. Also some people said that Mitchell used to work with Marmaduke and learned the technology from him, but they don’t know much of about Mitchell to advice. 2) Some other postings:
Expressed concerns that the due to the fact I hyperextend my knees those 2 models of bracing would not work well because the angle of those kinds of AFOs cannot be significantly
changed after they were made and if the functional requirement changes significantly, the AFO will have to be changed/the process have to be redone. 1) Few posting: a) look into some other models, which I did check them but they are not the same as the above mentioned AFOsb) have my orthotic making something alike or told I should request a “test” brace to see if they work.Ok I guess I will be calling Dynamic Bracing Solution and schedule an appointment for an evaluation. I will post the results later! Again THANK YOU SO MUCH!Daniela Wells
Houston TX
Citation
Daniela Wells, “RESPONSES: AFO's (Helios and Dynamic Bracing Soluti,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 1, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/235185.
