Table of Contents
What does AFO and SMO stand for?
The SMO is considered the shortest of the Ankle Foot Orthoses or AFO’s. The SMO is prescribed for patients who have soft, flexible, flat feet. SMO’s are often worn by children. The medical term for a flat foot is a pronated foot or pes planus, pes plano-valgus, and hyper-pronated foot.
What is AFO for foot drop?
Ankle foot orthoses, AFO for foot drop, are frequently prescribed to improve gait deviation and normalize walking patterns in patients with drop foot hemiplegia disorder. In healthy individuals, the functional lower limb shortening which is hip & knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion mainly achieve toe clearance.
What is the purpose of a SMO?
SMOs are prescribed for patients who have soft, flexible, flat feet (pes planovalgus). They are mostly worn by children. The SMO is designed to maintain a vertical, or neutral, heel while also supporting the arches of the foot. The SMO can help improve standing balance and walking.
Is walking good for foot drop?
The telltale sign of foot drop is catching your toes on the ground as you walk. A physical therapist can help treat the condition with exercises and other modalities. The main goal of physical therapy for foot drop is to improve functional mobility related to walking.
Who needs SMO?
Babies and toddlers with Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, gross motor delay and such conditions which result in hypotonia often need to wear the SMO brace. The duration they’ve to wear the brace for varies according to the level of recovery the Orthotist is going for and the stage of your child’s crawling or walking. 3.
What is an MAFO?
The molded ankle-foot orthosis (MAFO). The most commonly used forms of MAFO are the posterior shell that fits inside the shoes, and the Arizona brace (leather lacer) that is described later in more detail. The design of the MAFO is dictated by the pathology being treated and the desired effect of the brace.
Can you drive with AFO?
Our hinged AFO brace for foot drop will let you walk, run, drive any vehicle, and even practice any sport. This is the right orthotic for you.