Orthotics and Prosthetics

Ankle Foot Orthosis Wearing Instructions

These instructions are intended to help ensure successful use of your brace(s).  Please read and follow these instructions carefully.  While being fitted with your plastic Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO), your Orthotist will instruct you on how to wear and use your orthosis effectively.  Some points to remember:

Putting on your Brace

• Apply a clean, dry sock.  Socks should be worn at all times with the orthoses (brace) and should extend past the top edge of the plastic.
• Holding your foot in a neutral position slide the heel firmly into the back and bottom of the orthosis (look for the sock pattern through the plastic and/or ventilation holes, if possible).
• Tighten the ankle strap first, then the toe and/or forefoot straps (if applicable), before moving up the leg to other straps.  All straps should be snug.
• Apply the shoes and tighten laces (or Velcro) snuggly.   Like the straps on the brace, the shoe functions to secure the foot in the brace.  As such the laces must be secured tightly to prevent the foot from moving around in the brace.

Getting Used to Your Brace

• Initially, wear your brace 30-60 minutes at a time, several times a day. 
• Increasing time, as tolerated until you are able to wear it all day.  This adaptation period should take about 2 weeks.
• The sock should be removed and the skin inspected each time the brace is removed.
• Make note of any localized redness, especially over bony areas.  Redness which is spread out over a wide fleshy area is usually not cause for concern, but should fade within 30 minutes.  Contact our office with any concerns regarding discomfort or skin pressure within the brace (i.e. discoloration which does not fade, callus formation, blisters).
• Your doctor determines the specific wear time (e.g., daytime, nighttime, or both).  Initially, you should wear your brace during the day only while you build up your tolerance, even if your braces are for nighttime wear.  Do not wear your nighttime braces to sleep until they can be tolerated for at least 6 consecutive hours.

Wear and Care

• The orthosis may be gently wiped clean (inside and out) with soap and water or rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth.  Cleaning should be done a few times a week.  Inspect the brace daily for including wear and loose parts
• Velcro Strap Care:  Lint build up in the Velcro hooks should be removed with a fine-toothed comb or a toothpick.  The Velcro straps tend to last about six months.  If the Velcro is not keeping the straps closed they should be replaced by your Orthotist, if you are still required to wear the brace.

Shoes

• Appropriate shoes are vital to the success of the orthosis.  Laces (preferred) or Velcro closures are required: no loafers or slip-ons. 
• To accommodate the thickness of the plastic and any padding, the shoe may need to be ½ to a 1½ size larger than your normal size.  Sneakers and/or wide shoes with a high toe box, and/or removable insoles are optimal. 
• If your shoes need to have modifications to the sole (lifts or wedges), look for soles made of a solid material (no air or gel soles).  Notify the sales clerk of what you are looking for and get their permission to return the shoes if, after our inspection, we find that we are not able to work with the sole materials.

Compliance with instructions and follow-up appointments are very important.  At your follow-up appointment your Orthotist will make any necessary ‘fine-tuning’ adjustments to optimize your comfort and function.  It is normal for adjustments to be made to optimize the fit and function of your orthosis.

Please contact Strong Orthotics and Prosthetics, at (585)-341-9299, with any questions or issues as they arise.