DRAFO

OVERVIEW - MATERIALS - Casting Instructions (PDF) - Fitting Guide (PDF)

Dynamic - Response - Ankle Foot Orthosis

The DRAFO® design is conceptualized as a total contact/total control orthosis that provides relief and flexibility over boney prominences while delivering rigid control. One of the unique features of the DRAFO® is a flexible heel which provides proprioceptive feedback at heel strike and an effective sach heel effect that helps enhance gait performance and stability. With feedback from many practitioners, we introduced the DRAFO® Lite to provide an intermediate solution for more traditional applications requiring a solid heel. Further interest for a custom solution to acute ankle instability, acute injury and injury prevention with tathletic applications resulted in the introduction of our new sports line, DRAFO® DR Sport and DRG Lite. The DRAFO® family of products has evolved over the recent year with some exciting variations that have proven to answer the needs of a broad range of pathologies.

In general, the complete DRAFO® line is appropriate when practitioners are treating a range of conditions that include:

Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Paralytic Equinus (drop foot), Talocalcaneal Varus or Valgus, Prophylactic Ankle Instability, Spina Bifida, Multiple Sclerosis, PTTD, Ankle Arthritis or DJD, Ankle Subtalar or Midtarsal Trauma, Down’s Syndrome, CVA (Stroke).

Bracemasters International, LLC is pleased to report all of the positive practitioner input related to the broad range of conditions that have been successfully treated using the DRAFO® family of products. This continuous research and field input from our practitioners has been the primary catalyst for our constant evolution and development of additional products to the DRAFO® line. Please review each of the product sections to learn more about the key features and benefits of each member of the DRAFO® family of products that include:

DRAFO® (High-Profile, Mid-Profile, Low-Profile)
DRAFO® (PLS, Articulated, Static Adjustable)
DRAFO® Lite
DRAFO® DRG
DRAFO® Symes DRP
DRAFO® DR Sport
DRAFO® DRG Lite (Coming June 2010)

DRAFO® (High-Profile, Mid-Profile, Low-Profile)

The DRAFO® program began by serving the needs of Cerebral Palsy children with spastic tone or hyper mobility of the joints. One of the features was the ability of the DRAFO® to stabilize and hold the lower extremity in an anatomically neutral alignment with little or no pressure problems. 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 motion; if the alignment of the DRAFO® is greater than their functional range, the orthotic device will not perform properly.

Therefore, the DRAFO® is a two-part system. The first is the device and how it intimately controls and maintains the alignment of the foot. The second is the biomechanical assessment and casting process that is required for a successful outcome. Many other designs in the market do not provide as intimate a fit as is required to control the motions that occur in the foot. The DRAFO® provides medial lateral control, anterior-posterior control, and control of forefoot adduction/abduction and supination/pronation.

The DRAFO® is a custom orthosis promoting more holistic, positive outcomes and improved quality of life.

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: