Hinged or non-hinged AFOs?

[beenmum]

Which ended up being better for your child overall? Which was easier for you?

We are going from a low profile non hinged AFO to a 3/4 length hinged AFO (Tami 2).

I'm a bit nervous about using a bulkier AFO in regards to shoes and boots (we live in Canada).

Are the hinged AFOs easier to walk in?

[MotherWhimsey]

We're going to be moving from non hinged to hinged soon I think. We're going tomorrow to talk about it with the ped.

[beenmum]

We will have to compare LOL.

I have to say I'm not 100% fond of these non hinged ones b/c they stop her from going from sit to stand easily. Plus they have cracked and broken and the velcro has pulled off and had to be glued on. But thats more of an issue with the making of them.

We are going with DAFO this time.

[KatWrangler]

Hinged AFO's will give your child a more natural gait.  Gabrielle wears a KAFO on her left leg and a hinged AFO on her right.

As far as shoes/boots go, well it is a pain but you can find them.  The shoes we get are Answer 2's or Stride Rite or New Balance.  Stride Rite and New Balance come in extra wide sizes.

[MotherWhimsey]

We've always used DAFOs but we've never done hinged. We may not get those, I don't know, but his PT was saying that was an option this time. I'm not sure if we'll do it or not, I just don't know that much about what that changes. His muscles are breaking down and he needs more support now. He's only got 5% range of motion in his feet because he compensates for the weakness by walking tip toe and we don't want that to get any worse. I'm pretty sure the hinges don't let them tip toe at all, but I don't know if it'd be enough support or if it doesn't take away from that.

[beenmum]

Kat, We are using New balance shoes right now. Good to know they shouldnt support the hinged ones too.

Is the KAFO used for hyperextension of the knee? Cuz if this AFO doesnt keep her right leg from hyperextending so much then we may have to do a KAFO.

[beenmum]

Motherwhimsey.

The Tami 2 has a PF block so it blocks the toe walking  but still lets them have some active PF to move from sitting to standing and such apaprently.

What DAFO do you use now?

[MotherWhimsey]

Originally Posted by beenmum 

Motherwhimsey.

The Tami 2 has a PF block so it blocks the toe walking  but still lets them have some active PF to move from sitting to standing and such apaprently.

What DAFO do you use now?

DAFO softies. They don't have a hinge or anything but they wrap around the front of his leg a good bit and give him extra support.
 

Edited to add: the softies are like the material of the "chip" that goes under the strap. They are kinda like a booty that goes over most of the foot/leg and completely covers the parts that are under the DAFO. The hard plastic part goes over the soft shell.

[beenmum]

Oh yes. They said we could get a softy liner if we wanted.

[MotherWhimsey]

oh cool! I didn't know you could get softies with the hinged kind.

[beenmum]

 Yep, here is a popular hinded softy if your intrested in going that route.

http://www.dafo.com/products/dafo-2-softy/

This is our new one, it comes with a softy liner also.

http://www.dafo.com/products/dafo-tami2-pfblock/

[KatWrangler]

Yes it is.  She has no feeling or movement below the knee on her left leg.  With the KAFO it keeps her leg in alignment.
 

Originally Posted by beenmum 

Kat, We are using New balance shoes right now. Good to know they shouldnt support the hinged ones too.

Is the KAFO used for hyperextension of the knee? Cuz if this AFO doesnt keep her right leg from hyperextending so much then we may have to do a KAFO.

[MotherWhimsey]

Linden got his new AFO's yesterday...

The hinge in action...

We had them done at a prosthetics place in town and they asked if he wanted any picture put on and he chose spiderman.

And because he's so stinking cute (and getting big!)....

[KatWrangler]

Cute!  I love it!