Lower Limb Splints
- Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) / Foot Drop Splints
- Patella Tendon Bearing Orthosis (PTBO)
- Cosmetic or Traditional Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (KAFO)
- Thigh Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (TKAFO)
Clients needing these devices may be affected by such conditions as polio, arthritis, vascular problems, leg and foot ulcers, orthopedic conditions or congenital deformities.
PFA concentrates on lower limb orthoses but is experienced at making devices at all levels.
The team can supply off the shelf devices for a wide range of conditions, but for the complicated disorder the bespoke process may be required. The bespoke process allows for the support and/or correction to be tailored to the clients’ specific need, preventing excessive frontal, sagital and frontal plane motions of the lower limb.
Ankle Foot Orthosis - (AFO): The AFO is designed to control the movements of the foot and ankle joints during all phases of gait, dampening down the stress placed upon the joints and soft tissue, decreasing energy expenditure incurred during pathological gait.
There are many indications for this level of support, such as clients with neurological conditions resulting in loss of sensation, stability and function; diabetic clients with diminished sensation and vascular supply with an at risk foot or ulceration; post surgical or serious injury. Whatever the need PFA’s clinical team can assess and supply the most appropriate device.
Patella Tendon Bearing Orthosis - (PTBO): The PTBO is a device used to transfer/unload weight from the foot and ankle to the patella tendon, medial tibial flare and the anterior and posterior surface area of the proximal portion of the calf. The endo-skeletal structure of the foot and ankle are therefore partially suspended within the device. The ankle piece works like the AFO by way of controlling the ankle and foot angles and motions. The PTBO is made out of lightweight thermoplastic material, moulded from a cast of the patient’s leg and is used for a variety of conditions ranging from musculoskeletal conditions, un-united fractures, severely arthritic/damaged joints, crush injuries, post-surgical and partial feet. The endo-skeletal structure of the foot and ankle are therefore partially suspended within the device.
The PTBO is used to treat diabetic ulcers and Charcot foot condition/deformities. This is done both reactively - for ulceration and the acute Charcot process - and prophylactically as part of the life long treatment plan, aiming to protect the at risk foot and limit the recurrence of plantar foot ulceration.
Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis - (KAFO): The KAFO provides for sagital, transverse and frontal plane control of the knee and ankle, where instability exists or directional control/support is needed. The device extends from the foot to the thigh and can be built with a variety of different knee joints depending upon the biomechanical requirement. The conditions requiring this level of support may be due to neurological conditions causing muscle weakness or paralysis, broken bones and un-united fractures, arthritic/damaged joints, congenital deformities. As with all the bespoke orthotics, the clinical team can assess and supply the most appropriate device.
