DRAFO

 

       

 

OVERVIEW - MATERIALS - Casting Instructions (PDF)

Dynamic - Response - Ankle Foot Orthosis

 

The DRAFO (Patent Pending) is a design that was conceptualized as a total-contact orthotic device that provides relief and flexibility over boney prominences.  A flexible heel, which provides proprioceptive feedback at heal strike, initiates the first rocker at heal strike and reduces tendo-calcaneal pressure problems.  Primary utilization of the DRAFO is in Cerebral Palsy Children with spastic tone or hyper mobility of the joints.  The ability of the DRAFO to stabilize and hold the lower extremity in an anatomically neutral alignment with little or no pressure problems was critical in the design.

 

The key to the success of the DRAFO is that the patient care provider is able to biomechanically align the lower extremity to facilitate the most anatomically normal gate as possible.  The casting process utilized in this design requires that the patient be fitted with a cast in a position that is anatomically correct per useable end range of range of motion; if the alignment of the DRAFO is greater than their functional range, the orthotic device will fail.
Therefore, the DRAFO is a two-part system.  One is the device and how it intimately controls and maintains the alignment of the foot; and two, the biomechanical assessment and casting process is required for a successful outcome.  Current designs in the market do not provide as intimate a fit as is required to control the motions that occur in the foot.  In developing the DRAFO, it was critical that medial lateral control, anterior-posterior control, forefoot adduction/abduction, and supination/pronation be easily controlled.  One of the benefits of the design is that it is more stream-lined than systems that are currently available.  They fit in the patients’ existing shoes (l/2 size up, at most) instead of requiring the patient to wear a larger shoe, which would deter the biomechanical advantage of the brace.  Other key characteristics for this design are a simple fabrication process, adjustability, skin-friendly interface and a simple process for the patient care provider to take don and doff accurately.

• The DRAFO is a design that has developed as a total-contact orthosis, providing relief and flexibility over bony prominences.  It features a flexible heel which:

• Provides superior proprioceptive feedback at heel strike.

• Initiates the first rocker at heel strike.

• Significantly reduces tendo-calcaneal pressure problems.

 

• Additional features and benefits include:

• Extremely intimate, low profile fit, allowing the use of current shoe size.

• Easy to don and doff.

• Easy to adjust.

• Easily controls:

• Medial/Lateral

• Anterior/Posterior

• Forefoot Adduction/Abduction

• Supination/Pronation

 

DRAFO Low Profile:

• Indications:

• Mild dorsi-flexion and plantar-flexion control

• Contraindicated for:

• Hyperextension at the knee

• High tone

 

 

 

DRAFO Mid Profile:

• Indications:

• Medium dorsi-flexion and Plantar-flexion control

• Contraindicated for:

• Hyperextension at the knee

• High tone

 

 

 

 

 

DRAFO High Profile

• Indications:

• Maximum Control

• Hyperextension at the knee

• High tone

• Can be used as day or night orthosis

 

 

 

DRAFO PLS:

• Indications:

• Same as Low Profile but with more flexibility

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DRAFO Tamarack:

• Indications:

• For medial / lateral stability

• Allows free dorsi-flexion

• Plantar stopfor posterior control

• Recommend full range of dorsi-flexion present

 

 

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