Plastic Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (KAFO)
Purpose:  This orthosis is designed to control your knee, ankle and foot.  Some joints may be free motion, limited motion or locked.  The orthosis controls the joint that it crosses.  Your types of joints were specifically chosen for your individual condition.

In the Beginning:  Use a walker, cane, or have someone with you when you start because the orthosis may affect your balance.  Consult with your physician to determine if physical therapy is required.

Wearing your KAFO:  When putting the KAFO on in a seated position, carefully sit on the edge of the seat to allow the thigh section to slide under your thigh.  Be careful that the chair is not acting to push the brace away from you.  Place foot in shoe.  Fasten shoe and straps of orthosis.  Make sure that your foot is firmly seated in the shoe or heel cup.   

Wear Schedule:  Gradually increase the wear of your new orthosis to get accustomed to the new forces placed on your leg.  In the beginning wear it for a short period of time and take it off.  Remove your sock and check for redness you may not feel.  All redness should go away within 30 minutes.  If it does, reapply for two hours and inspect the skin again.  Reapply the orthosis and wear it for a longer time period, inspecting the skin afterwards.  You should be using the orthosis full time within one week. 

Your Shoe:  A laced style oxford or tennis shoe is the ideal shoe to wear with this orthosis.  The shoe must be laced to hold your foot securely in position.  If the shoe is too large and not snug on your foot, the AFO will not work well.  Do not change heel heights.  A higher heel will throw you forward and a lower heel will throw you back.

Pain/Redness: If you feel pain or see persistent redness, make sure your shoe laces are snug and the shoe is appropriate.  Call immediately for any adjustment.  Do not let redness turn into a blister!

Your Sock:  Always wear a clean acrylic sock that comes higher than the top of the orthosis.  This provides an air layer between the leg and plastic to protect the skin.

Metal Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (KAFO)
Purpose:  This orthosis is designed to control your knee, ankle and foot.  Some joints may be free motion, limited motion or locked.  The orthosis controls the joint that it crosses.  Your types of joints were specifically chosen for your individual condition.

Wearing your KAFO:  When putting the KAFO on in a seated position, carefully sit on the edge of the seat to allow the thigh section to slide under your thigh.  Be careful that the chair is not acting to push the brace away from you.  Place foot in shoe.  Fasten shoe and straps of orthosis.  Make sure that your foot is firmly seated in the shoe or heel cup.

Wear Schedule:  Gradually increase the wear of your new orthosis to get accustomed to the new forces placed on your legs.  In the beginning wear it for a short period of time and take it off.  Remove your sock and check for redness you may not feel.  All redness should go away within 30 minutes.  If it does, reapply for two hours and inspect the skin again.  Reapply the orthosis and wear it for a longer time period, inspecting the skin afterwards.  You should be using the orthosis full time within one week. 

Cleaning:  A metal and leather orthosis may need saddle soap to clean the leather.  Usually the ankle joints do not need lubrication.  If necessary, you can use a dry spray lubricant, like silicone.