Ankle-Foot Orthotics

An “Ankle Foot Orthotic” (or AFO) is a special brace that is designed to help control the motion of the ankle joint and also offer support to the foot.  
The Functional AFO is a type of AFO that is designed to offer superb control for the foot and ankle while offering greater comfort and easier shoe fit than other braces.  It is custom made for your foot and ankle and combines a custom foot orthosis with an attached semi-rigid ankle brace.   It is the only brace available that controls the motion of the ankle joint and the motion of both of the major joints of the foot. 

There are multiple reasons that your physician may have suggested this brace.  Most commonly the brace is used to control a severe flatfoot, an unstable ankle, or a foot/ankle with abnormal or painful motion.  By controlling motion,  function is often improved and pain is decreased. 

This unique brace is custom fit to your foot and ankle, so it “hugs” your ankle comfortably.  This allows better fit in shoes than most braces.   All AFOs, however, require a stable lace-up shoe, and the Functional AFO is no exception.   It is very important that shoes are purchased after the brace is fitted. 

The Functional AFO is often used to treat the following conditions:

• Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
• Severe flatfoot
• Arthritis of the ankle and/or foot
• Ankle sprains
• Lateral ankle instability
• Tendonitis
• Dropfoot (Click here for more information on drop foot)

Call our office for an appointment to find out if you are a candidate for an AFO. 

<NEXT>

All pages on this website © 2008
Douglas Hale, DPM & Lawrence Huppin, DPM
Foot and Ankle Center of Washington, Seattle
The material provided on this web site is for informative purposes only.
If you need specific medical advice, please contact the office for an appointment.