OPED oapl ANKLE FOOT ORTHOSES User manual

CONTACT ANKLE
FOOT
ORTHOSES
WEARING AN AFO
Head Ofce
Melbourne
29 South Corporate Ave
Rowville, VIC 3178
Ph: 1300 866 275
Fx : 1300 627 539
inf[email protected]
Victoria Clinics
1300 866 275
Bendigo
401 – 405 High Street
Golden Square, VIC 3555
Box Hill (Epworth Eastern)
Suite 5a, Level 2
1 Arnold Street
Box Hill, VIC 3128
Clayton
281 Clayton Road
Clayton, VIC 3168
Flemington
159-161 Epsom Road,
Flemington, VIC 3031
Frankston
346 Nepean Highway
Frankston, VIC 3199
Richmond (Epworth)
Level 7, Suite 5
32 Erin Street
Richmond, VIC 3121
Ringwood
86 Mt Dandenong Road
Ringwood, VIC 3135
New South Wales Clinics
[phone]
Alexandria
1/119 McEvoy Street
Alexandria, NSW 2015
Queensland Clinics
[phone]
Hervey Bay
85 Beach Road
Pialba, QLD 4655
Manseld
1/51 Secam Street
Manseld, QLD 4122
Western Australia Clinics
[phone]
Myaree (FOS)
2/89 North Lake Rd
Myaree, WA 6154
Shenton Park (FOS)
10 Selby Street
Shenton Park, WA 6008
We also provide outreach & hospital clinics to
regional locations right across Australia. For
information on these clinics visit www.oapl.com.au
www.oapl.com.au
A Guide for Patients
• Your AFO has been made to t you properly and provide the
greatest degree of comfort. It may take a brief period before the
sensation of wearing an AFO feels natural.
• Follow your Orthotist’s advice regarding the length of time to wear
the orthosis. It is recommended that you begin slowly and gradually
build up the time that you spend wearing your AFO. This will ensure
that your body gets used to the sensation of wearing the new device.
• Please remember that it may take several visits to the Orthotist to
ensure proper t of the AFO.
• A correctly tting AFO exerts a rm, steady pressure. It should not
cause a sharp stabbing pain, bruising, calluses or blisters. Should this
occur, cease wearing the AFO and call your Orthotist immediately.
• Please do not attempt to adjust the AFO yourself (This includes
adding padding to the inside of the AFO).
• Daily examination of the skin in contact with the AFO should become
habit. A new AFO may cause some redness, which should disappear
within 15 mins of removing the device. If the redness does not
disappear cease wearing the AFO and contact your Orthotist.
• People with diabetes and impaired sensation are especially
vulnerable to skin irritation particularly in bony areas. Extra care
should be taken and even minor skin irritations should be treated
promptly. In the early stages of wearing a new AFO you should check
your skin regularly for any irritation (approx every 1-2 hours).

Cleaning Your AFO
It is recommended that you keep your AFO and yourself as clean as
possible. Make sure your leg and foot are completely dry before wearing
the device.
Care Instructions
1. The AFO should be cleaned regularly with warm soapy water and
dried with a clean towel or left to air dry.
2. Do not soak your AFO in water, dry with a hair dryer, or place the AFO
in front of a heater.
3. A light dusting of talcum powder can be used to prevent odours.
Fluctuations in weight can affect the t of your AFO. If this occurs
contact your Orthotist. Growing youths should have their AFO’s checked
at regular intervals to allow for rapid growth.
Maintenance
If any part of the AFO becomes
cracked or broken do not attempt
to repair it yourself. Contact your
Orthotist who can arrange repair or
replacement.
Worn fabric portions (ie straps) of
your AFO should also be maintained.
Fluff should be cleaned from velcro
straps as required to ensure that they
continue to grip adequately.
We suggest that you organise a
review appointment with your
Orthotist every 6 months to ensure
your AFO is tting correctly and
providing you with adequate support.
Ankle Foot Orthoses or AFO’s can be custom made or prefabricated
(ready made) and can be prescribed for many different conditions.
Some of which include stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis,
paraplegia, polio, foot and ankle deformities and arthritis.
They are primarily designed to control movement at the foot and ankle
and have various designs and features. Your Orthotist will determine
which is the most appropriate for you.
Shoes to wear
Shoes worn with an AFO should provide sufcient support, slippers,
sandals and loafers are inappropriate. Shoes, which are deep and have
either laces or velcro (ie runners or walking shoes), are best.
Ask your Orthotist about which styles might suit you best. It is also
important to maintain the same heel height for which the AFO was
designed and patients should check regularly for signs of pressure and
irregular shoe wear.
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AFO APPLICATION
Your Orthotist will have shown you how to put on and remove the
orthosis at the time of tting.
A plastic AFO should always be worn with a shoe, as it is extremely
slippery, unstable and ineffective without one.
There are two preferred ways to don your AFO.
Example 1
Place your foot into the AFO and fasten the straps and then put on
the shoe.
Example 2
Slide the AFO into the shoe and using the device as a shoehorn, slip
your foot inside.
You will determine which method is more natural and comfortable.
AFO Socks
Always wear a sock, stocking or similar garment under the AFO to
reduce friction and protect your skin from perspiration.
Remember to keep your sock wrinkle free without putting pressure
on the toes. Natural fibre socks such as cotton allow for better air
circulation and perspiration absorption.
AFO socks are available to purchase in oapl clinics or online at
www.oaplshop.com.au
INTRODUCTION MAINTENANCE
Example 1 Example 2