Lower Extremity
From custom foot orthoses to KAFOs — bracing and support for the foot, ankle, knee, hip and leg.
The lower extremity is the heart of what we do. Each device is assessed, designed and fabricated in-house to match your gait, anatomy and goals.
Custom Foot Orthosis
Custom foot orthoses (also called orthotics) help support and align the foot-ankle complex, redistribute forces appropriately across the foot and/or reduce pain. Along with aligning the structures of the foot, they reduce muscle fatigue and promote efficient muscle performance during gait.
Each individual’s gait and biomechanical alignment is assessed to determine the design best suited to their needs. We fabricate in-house 3/4 length, full length, diabetic, extra-soft, rigid and semi-rigid foot orthotics.
- Sever's Disease
- Diabetes
- Overpronation
- Hallux Rigidus
- Bone Spurs
- Plantar fasciitis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Heel pain
- Metatarsalgia
Supramalleolar Orthosis (SMO)
This orthosis provides hindfoot support by including the ankles. SMOs fit inside the shoe and help with medial-lateral control of the ankle when walking. They are preferred for individuals who severely pronate, have low tone (hypotonia), or need increased support to help stand and walk that a foot orthosis cannot provide.
We can provide custom in-house fabricated SMOs, or off-the-shelf versions sized to shoe size such as Leapfrogs and DAFOs.
Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO)
AFOs are designed to protect and support the foot and ankle in a functional position, enhance walking, improve balance or prevent muscle contractures. They start below the knee, extending past the ankle and under the foot. Strength of the musculature, range of motion, weight-bearing abilities and patient goals are all taken into account when choosing the type of AFO.
Some of the AFO designs we commonly fabricate include:
- Rigid
- Articulated
- Energy Storage & Return
- Nighttime Stretching
- Charcot Restraint Orthotic Walker (CROW)
- Patellar Tendon Bearing (PTB)
- Supramalleolar Orthosis (SMO)
Knee Orthosis (KO)
Commonly referred to as knee braces, KOs provide increased joint stability, pain relief and ultimately allow return-to-work or recreational activities. Types we provide include custom knee braces, post-operative braces, osteoarthritic unloaders, ACL and MCL braces, neoprene sleeves, patella stabilizers and knee immobilizers.
- Osteoarthritis
- Ligamentous injury or instability
- Athletic trauma
- Post-surgery
Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (KAFO)
A KAFO is a custom-made device that encompasses the knee, ankle and foot, used to control instabilities that an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) cannot. A KAFO can be fabricated out of thermoplastic or metal and leather.
Thermoplastic KAFOs are molded directly to a cast of the leg — this option is lighter and more cosmetically appealing. Conventional KAFOs are fabricated from a cast or tracing of the leg with metal and leather and attach directly to the shoe.
- Poliomyelitis
- Spinal cord injury
- Peripheral nerve injury
- Severe knee osteoarthritis
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Trauma
HKAFO / Reciprocating Gait Orthosis (RGO)
An HKAFO limits hip and knee movement. It is beneficial for individuals with stability issues, weakness and/or paralysis, and reduces the risk of the hip dislocating or moving out of its proper position.
An RGO consists of bilateral KAFOs combined with locking knee joints, hip joints and a custom-molded pelvic girdle and thoracic extension — producing the characteristic reciprocal walking gait pattern. Good head and trunk control are required to operate this device.
- Spina bifida
- Spinal cord injury
- Other pathologies requiring help standing and walking
Other areas of care
Have questions about Lower Extremity?
Our certified orthotists are here to help. No referral needed to book an assessment.