What is AFO and Why is it Used?

What is AFO and Why is it Used? The use of AFO is a medical support preferred by people who have injured their ankles and need treatment. Afo can be used not only in injuries due to impacts, but also in neurological diseases. Afo types are orthoses used to support muscle weakness in case of loss of movement and walking problems in the patient’s foot due to reasons. Aphos, known as lower extremity orthoses, are produced from different materials.

What is AFO?

What is AFO and Why is it Used? Medical products defined as Ankle Foot Orthoses are known as afo in our country. Afo is an ankle orthosis and is used in the treatment of ankle problems. While answering the question of what is AFO, it can be seen that the definition of ankle foot orthosis is an abbreviation made from the initials. They are extremity orthoses that start below the knee and include the foot, and in some models, extend to the tip of the metatarsal bones. Afos extend up to the fingers on some models. There are many different types of aphos, which are generally made of plastic material.

Afo is used to support this joint because the ankle joints keep the leg and foot in a proper position. This medical product is extremely effective in stopping 90 degrees drosflexion and increasing walking comfort. It makes it easier for the patient to stand depending on his age and deformation in the joint. Thanks to the afo compatible with the normal walking pattern, walking comfort increases.

What Is Afo Used For?

What is AFO and Why is it Used? Diseases in which AFO is used are usually problems related to the deformation experienced in the ankle joint. The meaning of aphone, which is frequently used in the treatment of CP, is ankle orthosis. It is widely used in lower extremity pathologies. The diseases in which the aphone is used, which has become an equipment needed by everyone in the medical product sector, are as follows:

• Spinal cord trauma
• Spina Bifida
• Cerebral palsy
• Low foot
• Hemiplegia
• Hemiparesis
• Knee genu recurvatum

In such diseases and neurological treatments, patients may need amnesia. Afolar are delivered about 1 week after the patient’s measurements are taken and the patient can start using them. Afos, which are produced without any age limit, can be produced and used in special sizes for patients of all ages, if prescribed.

What is AFO and Where is it Used?

What is AFO and Why is it Used? It offers important opportunities to protect the joint area, especially against external impacts. The afo usage purposes, which are advantageous in maintaining standing and maintaining a normal gait pattern, are as follows:

• To prevent deformity in the foot and ankle area
• Correcting the deformation of the ankle
• Making it easier to stand firmly
• Maintaining a normal gait pattern
• Ensuring safe ambulation in foot movements
• Maintaining normal joint position
• Maintaining and improving normal joint opening
• Reducing spasticity
• Providing support to joint mechanics
• Increasing functional capacity

What is AFO and Why is it Used? Among the most curious subjects in the use of Afo, that is, ankle orthosis, the issue of durability also stands out. Depending on the condition of the material from which the afon is produced and the intended use of the person, the service life of the afos may differ. According to orthotic models, the use of afo is approximately 1 year. Orthoses used for rest have the advantage of longer use because they only maintain the position. However, afos for walking and movement may wear out in an average of 1 year, with wear and tear over time, and expire.

Afo Models

What is AFO and Why is it Used? Afo models differ from each other according to the purpose of use and the type of material used in the manufacture of these medical products. The use of different materials in each afo model makes the products advantageous in terms of usability. Among the afo types that are frequently preferred in the medical equipment sector, the following are the most used models:

• Silicone afo
• Carbon afo
• Metal afo
• Plastic afo

Ankle orthoses produced from plastic, metal and composite materials have different designs. In the use of AFO, jointed and non-jointed models can be preferred. In addition to selling ready-made models in Afo production, production is also made by taking personal measurements.

Articulated and Non-joint Afo Models

What is AFO and Why is it Used? Articulated and non-articulated afo models have different features according to the usage needs of the patient. Jointless afo models are preferred when the ankle rotates a lot during walking. If there is a lot of loss of strength in the muscles surrounding the ankle, jointless afo models should be preferred. Thus, the ankle is fixed and walking comfort increases.

On the other hand, jointed afo models are intended for the treatment of foot drop. The type of aphos that physiotherapists recommend to people who have a health problem called drop foot are jointed aphos. These models support foot movement in situations where there is loss of movement due to a drop foot. Since the jointed afos support the ankle at the specified angles, the movement is ensured to take place in the best condition.

Plastic Afo Models

Plastic afo types are among the most preferred models by patients looking for walking orthosis. Plastic afos are advantageous in terms of functionality as well as being low cost compared to other models. Therefore, it is quite common to use plastic materials in afo varieties. Thermoplastic materials are mostly used in the production of AFO. There are the following types according to the materials used among the plastic afo models:

• Afos made of high-density polyethylene material
• Afos made of low-density polyethylene material
• Afolar made of polypropylene material
• Afos made of carbon composite material

The higher the material quality in these afo models, the longer the service life of the medical product will be. The use of AFO is usually prescribed by orthopedic and physical therapy physicians. Physiotherapists, together with physicians, can advise patients to use orthoses if necessary. In the selection of the plastic afo model, the patient’s current usage needs and cost calculations should be made.

Can it be used together with Afo Shoes?

Wearing shoes with AFO is one of the most curious subjects of those who want to use these orthoses. Those who have to use orthoses due to ankle problems may wear afo with shoes under certain conditions. Using afo and shoes together is mostly dependent on the afo model and its features. If you prefer sports or walking shoes that are a few sizes larger than your normal foot size, you can use them with afo. It is perfectly normal to use plastic afo with walking shoes. There are also afo shoe models produced only for orthotic use. Despite these options, if you cannot find shoes suitable for wearing with afo, you can procure shoes according to your own measurements from places that produce afo shoes.

SGK Afo Orthosis Payment Price List

Afo state support changes every year according to the SGK legislation. Those who want to use AFO can use the advantage of payment from SGK if they are insured. According to the most up-to-date figures, the SGK afo payment price list is as follows:

Afo prices vary according to the materials used in the manufacture of these medical products, their features and models. Thanks to the specially prepared afos, walking or standing becomes much more comfortable. Afos, which are offered to patients of all ages, can be produced from plastic or different materials. Afo types that require custom size proofing are more expensive than other models.

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Wikipedia: AFO