The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) was established to encourage high standards of prosthetic and orthotic practice. It is committed to Continued Professional Development and education to enhance standards of prosthetic and orthotic care. BAPO is the only UK body that represents the interests of prosthetic and orthotic professionals and associate members to their employers, BAPO enjoys the support of a high majority of the profession as members.
OARSI have published new guidelines for the non-surgical management of kneeosteoarthritis. They recommend use of biomechanical interventions as directedby an appropriate specialist.Jonathan D Chapman
PhD Thesis 2014
AbstractIntroductionFoot ulceration and re-ulceration are a serious problem in people with diabetes as the outcome can be lower limb amputation, reducing quality of life and increasing mortality. The pathogenesis of foot ulceration is multifactorial with neuropathy, alterations in foot structure, callus formation and increased plantar foot pressure. The most effective intervention for reducing plantar pressure is the curved rocker outsole. To date this design has been prescribed from clinical intuition rather than scientific evidence. Therefore the studies within this thesis aimed to improve our understanding of how to best to design, and also prescribe, a rocker sole.Algeos are looking for your help to support a fantastic charity called the http://www.infantclubfootappeal.org
Algeos have helped the charity set up a fully functional O&P workshop which will enable the team to produce suitable O&P devices.
Our container of products leaves Liverpool for Zanzibar on Monday 28th July. If anyone would like to make any generous donations we are in need of the following items.
Your help and support would be really appreciated and the people of Tanzania would be eternally grateful.
· Paediatric & adult shoes / boots to treat clubfoot
· Paediatric & adult insoles to treat clubfoot
· Paediatric & adult shoes
· Paediatric & adult insoles
· Paediatric & adult AFO's
· Nimco or similar style
· Scoliosis brace
· Foot supports
· Leg braces
· Skull guards
Purpose: This exploratory trial investigated the effects of rigid ankle foot orthoses (AFO) with an optimally cast Angle of the Ankle in the AFO (AAAFO) on the gait of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP), and whether tuning of the AFO – Footwear Combination (AFO-FC) further affected gait. Methods: Eight children with CP underwent gait analysis and tuning of their AFO-FCs using a 3-D motion analysis system. Comparisons were carried out for selected gait parameters between three conditions – barefoot, non-tuned AFO-FC and tuned AFO-FC. Results: In comparison to barefoot gait, walking with a non-tuned AFO-FC produced significant (p < 0.05) improvements in several key gait parameters. Compared to the non-tuned AFO-FC, on average a tuned AFO-FC produced a significant reduction in peak knee extension and knee ROM during gait. However, when examined as case studies, it was observed that the type of gait pattern demonstrated while wearing a non-tuned AFO-FC affected the outcomes of tuning. Conclusions: The findings of the current study indicate the potential benefits of using rigid AFO-FC with optimal AAAFO and tuning of AFO-FCs. This study emphasises the need for categorising children with CP based on their gait patterns when investigating the effects of interventions such as AFOs.Implications for Rehabilitation
Rigid ankle foot orthoses (AFO) cast at an optimal angle to accommodate the length of gastrocnemius muscle may positively influence walking in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). | |||||
Tuning of the AFO-Footwear Combination (AFO-FC) has potential benefits to the walking of children with CP, depending on their gait abnormalities. | |||||
When investigating the effects of interventions such as AFOs, it is important to categorise children with CP based on their gait abnormalities. | |||||
Keywords: AFO , ankle foot orthosis , cerebral palsy , gait , tuning
http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/17483107.2014.908244
Foot drop is a symptom experienced by some people with multiple sclerosis. It is caused by a disruption in the nerve pathway to and from the brain, which results in an inability to lift the foot and toes properly when walking. To improve walking and reduce the risk of trips or falls, foot drop can be treated using two types of device. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) uses small electrical charges to force the foot into a more natural position for walking. An ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) is a device made of plastic or carbon fibre that holds the foot and ankle in a correct position during walking.
This study aimed to explore the experiences and satisfaction with FES and AFO in people with MS who had foot drop.
10 participants took part in the study and were split into two groups, the first group was made up of people using FES (six participants) and the second used AFO (four participants). The groups were questioned and encouraged to discuss their experiences of using the devices.
A similar number of positive and negative aspects were described for FES and AFO. In both groups the participants said that their device had reduced their fatigue, improved their gait (the pattern of walking), reduced trips and falls and increased their confidence. The negative aspects mentioned by both groups included the implications for shoes and clothing, for example users had found it difficult to concealtheir device under their clothes for social occasions.
In conclusion both groups considered that the benefits to them from wearing the device were more important and outweighed any problems.
This study highlights the importance of a health professional taking the individual's experiences and preferences into account, when selecting and prescribing a device to manage foot drop.
