Children's Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO)

The purpose of an AFO is to help position the foot, maintain muscle length and aid standing and walking. It does this by assisting or resisting certain movements.

To put the AFO on:

• Bend your child’s knee up
• Try to get their heel straight, then flex the foot up and slot the heel all the way into the back of the AFO
• Ensure the heel is down before fastening the ankle strap and then the calf strap.
• Put on a suitable shoe or boot. Often wiggling the shoe side to side makes it easier to don.

We recommend long socks to absorb perspiration and reduce risk of rubbing. Plain cotton socks with no pattern are ideal.

Never let a child walk in a splint without shoes on as the plastic on the bottom can be very slippery.

Whether this is the first or a replacement AFO you should build up the wear time gradually. If possible, wear for short periods, but often throughout the day to begin with. Unless otherwise advised most children should be able to build up to wearing the AFO through the day (off in bed) after around a week. Any rubs or red marks should fade after 20 minutes of removing the orthosis. If they do not fade please contact Orthotics for a review appointment and leave the orthosis off if safe to do so.

Look for footwear with:

• A fastening that can be adjusted rather than slip ons
• A wider and deeper fitting
• A base insole that can be removed to free up space for the AFO
• A lower opening where the tongue can be opened right down to ease donning

If you have difficulty finding suitable footwear please speak to your Orthotist.

Many families find success with high street footwear with the suggested design features. They do not necessarily have to be an expensive pair, many families have got on well with supermarket trainers or common brands like Skechers, Nike, Adidas etc. Should none of these be suitable then these alternatives may help:

Marks and Spencer's Easy Dressing range Kids' Freshfeet Zip High Tops

Friendly Shoes

www.friendlyshoes.co.uk

Billy Shoes

Available in the UK on Amazon or from Special Kids Company, Sensory Smart Store or Fledglings

Fledglings (part of the Contact Charity)

www.fledglings.org.uk/collections/kids-adaptive-footwear

For larger sizes:

FitVille (https://thefitville.uk/)

Wider Fit Shoes (www.widerfitshoes.co.uk)

If you notice the AFO is getting too small or your child has any other issues with their Orthosis please call for a review. 

AFOs can be cleaned with a damp cloth and towel dried. Please do not use heat as this may distort its shape. Do not soak the brace or use any harsh detergents on it.

Your child's brace is either custom-made or adjusted for their use only. Please do not adjust it or fit it to anyone else.

If the AFO fits well and only requires new straps or pads please contact Orthotics as these can often be replaced.

Steps

(stepsworldwide.org)

Contact—For Families with Disabled Children

Information & advice (contact.org.uk)

Borders Additional Needs Group

www.bordersadditionalneeds.org

Scottish Disability Sport

scottishdisabilitysport.com

Capability Scotland

www.capability.scot