AFO-KIT
The Benefit AFO Kit
This kit provides everything needed to fabricate an AFO, except the leather. Includes: One pair of Slim Line double action ankle joints with uprights, calf band aluminum, one Slim Line 2900 stirrup, padding for the calf band, stainbless steel rivets, chafes and loops, and hook and loop.
Downloadable Version
Knee Joint Selection Guide
Discretion in choosing a joint size and designing an appropriate orthosis should be used by the orthotist in all cases. We would reference and support the approach described by Lunsford and agree that successful orthotic management requires a clear understanding of the condition being treated and a realistic plan to address the biomechanical deficits presented.
For optimal orthotic management, the mechicanical demands to be placed upon the orthosis for any given treatment must be understood prior to material selection.
The selection of the correct materials is often the difference between success and failure and we believe that the orthotist is trained and the best qualified to match the characteristics of the material to the biomechanical and functional needs of the patient.
Discretion in choosing a joint size, selecting the Side Bar Material, and designing an appropriate orthosis should be used by the orthotist in all cases. The following factors are commonly used by orthotists to help determine the level of Biomechanical Deficit. Practical issues including compliance, occupation, environment and social factors should also be taken into consideration.
Biomechanical Deficit Factors
- Single or multiple plane involvement
- Single or multiple segment involvement
- Muscle strength/weakness
- Range-of-motion
- Skeletal and/or joint alignment — malalignment
- Mobile or fixed deformity
- Presence and magnitude of joint contracture
- Presence/extent of spasticity
- Proprioceptive and cognitive skills
- Progressive or non progressive condition
| Biomechanical Deficit | Mild | Moderate | Severe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activity Level | Low | Moderate | High | Low | Moderate | High | Low | Moderate | High | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Patients Weight LBS (kg) |
80-140 (36-64) |
140-210 (64-95) |
210-320 (95-145) |
80-140 (36-64) |
140-210 (64-95) |
210-320 (95-145) |
80-140 (36-64) |
140-210 (64-95) |
210-320 (95-145) |
80-140 (36-64) |
140-210 (64-95) |
210-320 (95-145) |
80-140 (36-64) |
140-210 (64-95) |
210-320 (95-145) |
80-140 (36-64) |
140-210 (64-95) |
210-320 (95-145) |
80-140 (36-64) |
140-210 (64-95) |
210-320 (95-145) |
80-140 (36-64) |
140-210 (64-95) |
210-320 (95-145) |
80-140 (36-64) |
140-210 (64-95) |
210-320 (95-145) |
|
 |
1001 | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B/A | A | A | B/A | A | — | B/A | A | — |
|
1002 | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B/A | A | A** | B/A | A | A** | B/A | A** | — |
|
1003 | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B/A | A | — | A | — | — | A | — | — |
|
1004 | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B/A | A | — | A | A | — | A | — | — |
|
1006* | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B/A | A | — | A | A | — | — | — | — |
|
1007* | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B/A | A | — | A | — | — | — | — | — |
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1010* | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B/A | A | — | A | — | — | — | — | — |
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1012 | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B/A | A | — | B/A | A | — | — | — | — |
|
1013* | — | A | — | — | A | — | A | A | — | — | A | — | — | A | — | A | A | — | A | A | — | A | — | — | — | — | — |
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1015 | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B/A | A | A | A | A | — | — | — | — |
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1017 | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B/A | A | — | B/A | A | — | A | A | — |
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1017-A38* | — | — | A | — | — | A | — | — | A | — | — | A | — | — | A | — | — | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
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2004* | B | B | — | B | B | — | — | — | — | B | B | — | B | B | — | — | — | — | B | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
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2009* | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B/A | A | — | A | A | — | A | — | — |
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S2001* | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B/A | A | — | A | A | — | A | — | — |
|
S2003* | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B | A | — | B | A | — | B/A | A | — | B/A | A | — | A | A | — | A | — | — |
- * Not available with titanium uprights.
- ** Consider ordering with Heavy Duty Rings, Model 1002-A#4HD.
- NOTE: Model 1017-A38 is available with aluminum uprights only.
Steel and Aluminum Alloys
Steel is stronger and stiffer than aluminum allow; aluminum allow has a lower density making it lighter. Steel is fatigure resistant and combines high rigidity, or ductility depending on the alloy. The main disadvantage of steel is its weight. The major benefit of aluminum in orthotics is its high strength to weight ratio. Aluminum does however have a lower endurance limit under repreated dynamic loading conditions than does steel. A common clinical question relates to the upright of a lower extremity orthosis in which deformation under bending stresses is very important. In general terms, if loading conditions are known to be great or highly repetitive, steel is superior to aluminum.
Considerations for preventing failure:
- Fatigue
- Stress Concentration
- Finishing
- Bend Radii
- Design
