Types of Orthotics – What’s Best?

An orthotic is a special insert for your shoes, hand or hips that helps support your feet. Orthotics can be made of different materials and qualities, so not all of them are the same.

Many people spend a lot of time and money on the wrong orthotics. It’s high time to learn about the types of orthotics and learn what the best is for you. Read the complete blog for details.

Types of Orthotics

There are several types of orthotics, each designed to support different parts of the body and address specific medical needs. Here are some common types:

1. Foot Orthotics
   Foot orthotics are special inserts you put in your shoes. They help support your feet and make walking more comfortable. People use them for problems like flat feet or heel pain. You can buy them in stores or have them custom-made by a doctor.
2. Ankle-Foot Orthosis (AFO)
   An AFO is a brace that supports the ankle and foot. It helps people with weak or paralyzed muscles. The AFO keeps the ankle and foot in the right position so you can walk better and more safely. Doctors often recommend AFOs for people who need extra help with their ankle and foot movement.
3. Hip-Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis (HKAFO)
   An HKAFO is a big brace that supports your hip, knee, ankle, and foot. It helps people with weak or paralyzed legs and hips. The HKAFO keeps your whole leg in the right position, making it easier to stand and walk. Doctors use it for people who need a lot of support to move.
4. Knee Orthosis (KO)
   A KO is a brace for your knee. It helps support and protect your knee if you have an injury or pain. People wear KOs when they have problems like arthritis or after knee surgery. The KO keeps your knee stable and helps you move without hurting it more.
5. Wrist-Hand Orthosis (WHO)
   A WHO is a brace for your wrist and hand. It helps support and protect your wrist and hand if injured or weak. People use WHOs for problems like carpal tunnel syndrome or after a wrist fracture. The WHO keeps your wrist and hand in the right position to heal and move better.
6. Elbow Orthosis (EO)
   An EO is a brace for your elbow. It supports your elbow if it is hurt or weak. People use EOs when they have elbow injuries, arthritis, or after surgery. The EO keeps your elbow stable and helps you move it without pain. It makes healing faster and safer.
7. Shoulder Orthosis (SO)
   An SO is a brace for your shoulder. It helps support and protect your shoulder if it is injured or weak. People wear SOs for problems like shoulder dislocations or after shoulder surgery. The SO keeps your shoulder in the right position, making it easier to heal and move without pain.
8. Cervical Orthosis (CO)
   A CO is a neck brace that supports the neck if it is hurt or weak. People use COs for neck injuries, chronic pain, or after neck surgery. The CO keeps the neck stable and helps it heal, making neck movement safer and less painful.
9. Spinal Orthosis
   A spinal orthosis is a brace for your back. It helps support and straighten your spine if you have problems like scoliosis or after back surgery. The brace keeps your back in the right position, making it easier to stand and walk. It helps your spine heal and grow correctly.
10. Hip Orthosis (HO)An HO is a brace for your hip. It helps support your hip if it is injured or weak. People use HOs for problems like hip dysplasia or after hip surgery. The HO keeps your hip in the right position, making it easier to stand and walk. It helps your hip heal and move better.
11. KAFO (Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis)
    A KAFO, or knee-ankle-foot orthosis, is a device that supports the knee, ankle, and foot. The name comes from the body parts covering these parts.
    People use a KAFO when their leg muscles are weak or paralyzed. This might happen if they have trouble moving their knee or hip. The KAFO helps them move and stand better. If the muscles that straighten the knee are weak, the KAFO helps support the knee when standing.

The parts of the KAFO at the knee can work in three ways:

• Free moving: The knee can move freely.
• Locked: The knee stays straight.
• Automatic: The knee can lock and unlock as needed.

Simply put, a KAFO supports the knee, ankle, and foot to help people walk and stand more easily and safely.

KAFOs – Free Knee Joints

KAFOs with free-moving knee joints can move easily when you stand and walk. They are for people whose knee muscles still have some strength. These joints can come with or without a special feature called a posterior offset.

• Without Posterior Offset: The knee moves using only your muscle strength. The joint in the KAFO matches up with your knee joint.
• With Posterior Offset: The knee joint in the KAFO helps support your muscles. The joint is placed behind your knee to give extra support when you stand.

A KAFO with a free-moving knee joint helps you walk more naturally. When you stand, it stops your knee from giving way. When you walk, your knee can bend up to about 60 degrees, which is normal for walking.

In short, these KAFOs help you walk and stand by supporting your knee, making your steps feel more natural.

KAFOs – Locked Knee Joints

KAFOs with locked knee joints keep the knee straight when standing and walking. They can be unlocked for sitting. These are for people whose knee muscles are weak or don’t work. Sometimes, if the therapy allows, the locked knee joint can be changed to a free-moving joint with extra support.

Locked knee joints provide the highest safety because they prevent the knee from bending. Because the knee can’t bend when walking, the person has to walk in an unusual way. They might lift their hip on the side with the brace or swing their leg in a circle to walk. This makes walking harder and uses more energy. It can also cause problems in other joints like the hips, spine, and shoulders.

Making KAFOs with locked knee joints is not usually a good idea. They are only recommended in special cases, like when the knee can’t straighten properly (a contracture condition), and physical therapy can’t fix it.

Thus, locked knee joints keep the knee straight and safe but make walking harder and can cause other joint problems. They are only used when needed.

KAFOs with Automatic System Knee Joints

KAFOs with automatic system knee joints lock when you stand and move freely when you walk. They are for people whose knee muscles are weak or don’t work. These KAFOs help you walk naturally.

When you stand or put weight on your leg, the knee joint locks to prevent your knee from bending and giving way, making it safe to stand. When you walk, the knee joint unlocks, letting your knee bend up to 60 degrees, which is a normal walking angle. Because of this, automatic joints are also called “stance control orthoses” (SCO).

Automatic knee joints are the latest technology and are usually better than locked knee joints.

KAFOs with automatic knee joints lock for safety when standing and move freely for natural walking, making them a better choice for most people.

Comparing Different Types of KAFOs

Free Moving

• Who can use it? People with knee muscles that are still somewhat strong.
• Standing (Stance Phase): The knee bends 5°, which is normal.
• Walking (Swing Phase): The knee bends 60°, which is normal.
• Movement: The leg moves straight, making walking feel natural.

Locked

• Who can use it? People with very weak or no knee muscles.
• Standing (Stance Phase): The knee bends 5°, which is normal, but sometimes can be different if there are issues like contractures.
• Walking (Swing Phase): The knee stays almost straight at 5°, which is abnormal.
• Movement: The leg moves in a half-circle instead of a straight line, making walking harder and less natural.

Automatic

• Who can use it? People with very weak or no knee muscles.
• Standing (Stance Phase): The knee bends 5°, which is normal.
• Walking (Swing Phase): The knee bends 60°, which is normal.
• Movement: The leg moves straight, making walking feel natural.

Concisely, KAFOs can have different types of knee joints to help people walk and stand better:

• Free Moving: For people with muscle strength, it helps the leg move naturally.
• Locked: For people with very weak muscles, it makes walking less natural.
• Automatic: It helps the leg move naturally and is usually the best option for people with very weak muscles.

Pick the Right Orthotic

Choosing the right orthotic is crucial for comfort and support. Understanding the different types of orthotics can help you make the best choice for your needs. Whether you need foot, ankle, or knee support, knowing your options can save you time, money, and pain, ensuring a more natural and comfortable walking experience.