AFO’s in Children with CP

The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery published research on the use of a floor reaction ankle foot orthoses (AFO’s) on children with cerebral palsy (CP). Using gait analysis, the researchers determined that the AFO’s restricted sagittal plane motion (left to right motion)which results in improvements in knee extension. The best results were seen in children who had knee and hip flexion contractures of more than or equal to 10 degrees. The efficacy of the orthotic was limited if knee and hip flexion contractures were greater than or equal to 15 degrees. The researchers concluded that this type of orthotic should not be prescribed if knee and hip flexion contractures are great than or equal to 15 degrees.

Reference: Rogozinski, Benjamin M., Davids, Jon R., Davis, Roy B., III, Jameson, Gene G., Blackhurst, Dawn W. The Efficacy of the Floor-Reaction Ankle-Foot Orthosis in Children with Cerebral Palsy J Bone Joint Surg Am 2009 91: 2440-2447