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KAFO

A Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (KAFO) is an orthotic device that spans the entire leg to stabilize joints and assist leg muscles. KAFOs are commonly used for conditions that cause leg muscle weakness or paralysis like polio, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy. They provide stability, aid walking, prevent deformities, and enhance mobility and independence.

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Romana Vayani
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639 views

KAFO

A Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (KAFO) is an orthotic device that spans the entire leg to stabilize joints and assist leg muscles. KAFOs are commonly used for conditions that cause leg muscle weakness or paralysis like polio, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy. They provide stability, aid walking, prevent deformities, and enhance mobility and independence.

Uploaded by

Romana Vayani
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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KNEE ANKLE FOOT ORTHOSIS

KNEE ANKLE FOOT ORTHOSIS


• Knee ankle foot orthoses were formerly referred as long leg brace.
• The components are same as afo but also include knee joints , thigh
uprights and proximal thigh band.
• Kafos are used in patients with severe knee extensor and hamstring
weakness, structural knee instability ,and knee flexion spasticity
• The purpose of kafo is to provide stability at knee , Ankle ,and sub-talar
joint during ambulation.
• They are most commonly prescribed bilaterally for patients with spinal
cord injuries and unilaterally for polio patients.
• Material variety available depends on individual needs.
• Various knee joints and knee locks are available for a variety of
conditions.
• Kafos are prescribed for functional ambulation or exercise .
WHAT IS KAFO ?
• Each KAFO is custom-made to the specific requirements of the
individual.
There are numerous design options available that make usage of
the Orthosis both functional and comfortable.
A detailed examination and assessment of the patient allows us
to suggest the best available component combination.
KAFO
• A Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (KAFO) is a long-leg orthosis that spans the
entire leg in an effort to stabilize the joints and assist the muscles of
the leg. While there are several common indications for such an
Orthosis, muscle weakness and paralysis of the leg are the ones most
frequently identified. The most common causes of muscle weakness
and paralysis include:

• Poliomyelitis
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Cerebral palsy/spina-bifida
KAFOS
• The benefits of exercise to the patient requiring bilateral Kafos include
preventing lower limb contractures, enhancing cardiovascular fitness,
maintain upper body strength for activities of daily living, delaying in the
development of osteoporosis , and fewer medical complications such as
deep venous thrombosis .
• The use of KAFOS often compliments the use of wheel chair for
ambulation
• Knee locks are used to provide stability at the knee
Components of KAFO

• Knee Joint
• Ankle Joint
• Foot Piece
• Uprights
• Straps and Padding
TYPES OF KAFO

• Articulated KAFO
• Solid KAFO
BENEFITS OF KAFO

• Provides stability and support


• Aids in walking and weight-bearing
• Prevents deformities
• Enhances independence and mobility
CONSIDERATION OF FITTING

• Proper measurement techniques


• Importance of customization
• Comfort and functionality
Rehabilitation and Training

• Physiotherapy exercises
• gait training
• Monitoring progress
CHALLENGES AND LIMITATION

• Cost
• Maintenance
• Psychological impact
PHYSICAL THERAPY GOALS
Physical Therapy Intervention
• Physical Therapy Intervention
• Instruct in donn and doff
• Patient/caregiver teaching
• care of orthosis
• skin inspection
• wearing schedule
• facilitate orthotic acceptance
• Mobility training with orthosis
• Assess and ensure proper alignment and fit
• Assess and document prescribed orthosis for:
• improved function movement while patient wears orthosis
• practicality and ease of use
Physical Therapy Examination

• Pre-orthotic assessment includes an examination and evaluation of the following:

• Past medical history


• History of current condition
• Social history (caregiver support)
• Medications
• Living environment
• Skin assessment
• Edema/ measurements
• Postural tone assessment
• Pathological reflex assessment
• Sensation, proprioception, and kinesthesia
• Range of motion
• Motor assessment/strength
• Mobility skills
PATIENT ASSESSMENT
• Carry out patient assessment
• Subjective assessment
• Objective assessment
• MMT
• ROM
• LLD
• Muscle tone

•
KAFO
• Hinged

• Restricts medio-lateral, rotational and


hyperextension motions

• Offset hinge places the hinge posterior to midline of


the knee joint, which allows for some knee flexion
Knee cap
• Provides increased sagittal stability
KAFO
• Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis
• Combines KO & AFO
KAFO SUBTYPES
• Subtypes:
• Single/Double bar (upright) KAFO
• Total contact KAFO
• Ischial Weight Bearing (unweighting) KAFO
Single/Double Bar KAFO
• Accommodates volume fluctuation,
• Cooler than total contact, o Highest material
strength.
• Several lock options.
• Lock for ambulation, unlock for sitting.
• May incorporate hyperextension stops.
• Various knee joints are available • e.g. Weight
activated stance control, locking, polycentric, single
axis, extension assist, etc.
Total Contact KAFO
Ischial Weight Bearing (unweighting) KAFO

• Ischial containment or Quadrilateral style


brims with high trimlines.
• Generally used with paralytic limbs.
• Not as effective with larger or obese
individuals
Materials
• Plastic
• lightweight
• strong
• easily cleaned
• corrosion resistant
• Thermoplastic
• heat molded; adaptable
• inherently weaker
• Metals
• strong
• stiff
• fatigue resistance
• alters shape somewhat under tension
• resistant to heat
• weight is dependent on components/alloy
MATERIALS
• Silicone
• strong
• poor heat conductor
• effective in reducing friction between skin and orthotic
• Leather
• strong
• porous
• indicated for patients with metal allergies or other contact dermatitis
• can be molded to fit body part/angle
• Cork
• lightweight
• flexible
• absorbs shock
• can be molded
• Cotton/wool
• absorbs moisture/protects skin
• high durability
Knee immobilizer
• Fabricated metal inserts for stability
• Designed to restrict all motions of the knee
Dial lock knee orthosis
• For individuals with knee contractures ,a
variety of KO can help restore range of motion
CONTRACTURE REDUCING KNEE ORTHOSIS

• For more severe knee contractures a turn


buckle knee orthosis can be applied and easier
adjustments helps in reducing contractures
Advanced Control KAFOs
• Free Walk-Stance Control Orthoses
• Design creates a more natural gait cycle by locking during stance phase
and unlocking during swing phase

• Indications
• Isolated quad weakness, post- poliomyelitis MS, unilateral paralysis,
incomplete spinal cord injury, trauma
Advanced Controls KAFOs

Contraindications

• Spasticity
• Knee flexion contracture greater than 15
degrees
• Hip flexors and extensors strength <3

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