A clean sock must be worn under your orthosis. The sock will reduce friction, making application of the orthosis easier. It will also assist in reducing the effects of perspiration. The sock should be wrinkle free and higher than the top of the orthosis. Cotton socks are recommended.
Your orthosis must always be worn with a shoe when standing or walking. Low top, lace-up athletic style shoes with a flat bottom work best. Remove the insole when possible to create more room for the orthosis. DO not wear your AFO without shoes as they can be slippery or hazardous.
Suggested footwear: New Balance Etonic, Asics, Van/DC’s – skate boarder shoes, stride rite. Extra depth shoes and sandals can be ordered and purchased.
Cleaning Orthosis:
To clean the inside of your orthosis, use a wet wash cloth and dry thoroughly with a towel. Rubbing alcohol has proven to work best. Clean at least once a day every day. Dry well before re-applying.
Donning:
When applying the AFO, ALWAYS provide an achilles stretch first and slide the heel all the way to the back of the orthosis in the corrected position and hold in place snugly by the ankle strap. Adjust the toes in place and apply toe strap if there is one. Adjust the orthosis with the ankle strap on so that it is in alignment with respect to the leg and do up the top-tibial strap snugly.
* It is IMPORTANT to slowly wean into the orthosis,start wearing it gradually by increasing wearing time by 30 minutes every time the AFOs are reapplied.
*Once the orthosis is tolerated for a long enough period of time it can be worn all day without any concerns. There should be no pain resulting from the orthosis, and any discomfort should have dispersed by two weeks of gradual weaning into it at which time should be completely adjusted to the orthosis. If at this time, there is still discomfort or an adjustment is necessary PLEASE CALL for appointment.
*The orthosis should be worn every day for maximum effect, if it is not worn every day it will be more difficult to adjust to the position of correction. As well, if there is any long period of time during which it is not worn, due to illness or holidays, then start wearing it gradually again to insure tolerance is built up again.
* If there is redness which remains or redness over a bony area, first make sure that the foot orthosis was applied correctly with the shoe on snugly, as otherwise, the foot may shift in the orthosis.
* If the redness remains and does not disappear with 30 – 40 minutes and was not due to incorrect application, an adjustment may be necessary. Please call to make an appointment and provide details of the problem you are experiencing.
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