Ankle foot orthoses (AFO's) are used to treat many different conditions including: drop foot, adult acquired flat foot and arthritic changes in feet. However, AFO's can also be used to treat sport injuries as it can treat tendons, ligaments and bony injuries.

Ankle foot orthoses are orthotics that compromise of protecting the lower leg, ankle joint and the foot. This will comprise of a custom foot orthotic as well. 

AFO's can be used to treat: ankle sprains, tendon injuries, achilles injurys/ruptures, traumatic nerve injuries and peroneal tendinopathy. In all of these injuries/acute injuries the mainstay of treatment is offloading the injury, most patients that are injured do not want to be immobilized for weeks/months in a walking boot/cast and thus a custom AFO which combines an orthotic and an ankle brace can be helpful and allow the patient to still be mobile.

If you or a loved one is suffering from any of these injuries, you may benefit from an ankle foot orthoses - talk to your provider today.

Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News