Floor reaction AFOs

[smoop]

Do any of you (or your children) use floor reaction AFOs?

My daughter has been in KAFOs for over 2 years now and the orthopedic surgeon wrote script today for lower bracing. We were both thinking floor reaction would be appropriate for Ana's crouching but the orthotist wasn't able to meet with us to discuss. I thought orthotist had told me in the past that FRAFOs wouldn't work well. Would just like to know others experiences with them.

P/S.. Analise is L3-4 and walks mostly with crutches but learning to do without them around the house.

[leigh828]

Great question!! Grey just got casted for his this week. His ortho didn't want to go to KAFOs yet, but he really needs a little more support at the knee so our orthopedic doc and the orthotist both thought that groud reaction is the way to go. I'd love to hear what others have to say too!

[Kari]

I'm assuming they're the same as ground reactive AFO's?? If so, that's what Zach has. It's interesting. He's never had KAFO's, because they say he's not ready for them. This is his second pair of AFO's. Hopefully his next pair will be KAFO's. BTW - He's not able to stand unassisted.

[leigh828]

Kari- How old is Zach? Grey is 15 months and I'm just wondering if the GRAFO are going to do the trick or if we should have gone right to KAFOs? Grey also isn't able to stand unassisted, he's close, but not quite there yet.

[XoBLoNDiE85]

HHmmmm this is interesting. Hannah stands but not unless shes holding onto something....I wonder if this the route we should take???

[Kari]

Zach will be three in June.

[Kent T]

Bjorn, my 3 year old adopted SB toddler uses Allard Kiddie Gait FRAFO braces, I use the grown up version, the Allard Blue Rockers, both of us fit the same day. The family who gimps together, stays together. Not often that orthotist gets to fit father and son.

[lynn10]

My daughter is going to be fitted for braces in oct ( she will be 1) they are suppose to be from her knees to her feet. What is the names of those braces and should I be concerned.Pt thinks she should have them yet. What do you think from experience?

Mother of Sadie 10.20.10 L5/S1

[Dodger67]

Below or above the knee?
If it's below they are AFOs - Ankle-Foot Orthotic
Above the knee makes them KAFOs - Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthotic

Your main concern will be finding shoes that fit with them - but there are already several threads here about that. Just search for "shoes".

Your next concern will be trying to keep up with her once she figures out how to use them! :Banane21:

[Kent T]

leigh828,

Read your blog. Grey is very cute. Admire how he's doing. Bjorn had a rough start and had parents in Denmark ill equipped for dealing with a SB kiddo, they were drug addicts. We got him as a Foster parent when he was 5 months old, he became ours at 8 months old. He's doing great along with our older 7 year old Erik who was also a Scandinavian adoptee. Wife is Norwegian and both of us also have SB. Bjorn is now over 3 and a half years old and learning how to walk.