Don,
Talk to your Orthotists and your Motion Analysis people there at the
Shrine. You CANNOT expect a floor/ground reaction AFO to CORRECT a knee
flexion contracture. Biomechanically immpossible. Recheck the hip for
contracure/weakness. They are probably adding to the biomechanical problem
you are dealing with.
As Harold said, the child may walk further, but you can only expect to hold
the degree of knee flexion that he has. If hip extensor muscles are not at
least good, he will continue to flex at his knees and hips. Or he’ll have
to hold himself up with crutches.
I have worked with hundreds of kids like this. The most the you can expect
from a floor/ground reaction AFO is support for a weak quad, properseptive
feedback to the anterior tibial area, and to hold the foot at 90 during
swing. All of these will be compromised if there is other muscle weakness
or joint contractures.
Try the AFOs but don’t expect miracles. Good luck!
Terry Supan, CPO
Associate Professor
Director, Orthotic Prosthetic Services
SIU School of Medicine
PO Box 19230
Springfield, IL., USA, 62794-1420
phone: (217) 782-5682
fax: (217) 782-7323
E-mail:
