AFO

AFO

abbreviation for ankle-foot orthosis.

AFO

Ankle-foot orthosis

AFO

Abbreviation for ankle-foot orthotic.

orthosis

(or-tho'sis) [Gr. orthosis, guidance, straightening]

Any device added to the body to stabilize or immobilize a body part, prevent deformity, protect against injury, or assist with function. Orthotic devices range from arm slings to corsets and finger splints. They may be made from a variety of materials, including rubber, leather, canvas, rubber synthetics, and plastic. orthotic (-thot'ik), adjective

ANKLE-FOOT ORTHOSIS

ankle-foot orthosis

Abbreviation: AFO

Any of a class of external orthopedic appliances, braces, or splints devised to control, limit, or assist foot and ankle motion and provide leg support. Typically, orthotics are made of lightweight materials such as thermoplastics. See: illustration

Patient care

A variety of ankle-foot orthoses are used. In the treatment of Achilles' tendon rupture, e.g., the orthosis holds the foot at a right angle to the horizontal plane of the body, in plantar flexion.

balanced forearm orthosis

Mobile arm support.

halo vest orthosis

Halo vest.

spinal orthosis

A supportive device applied to the back (and often encircling the trunk) that limits the movement of the vertebrae, alleviates pain, or unloads mechanical stress; back brace.

wrist-driven hand orthosis

Abbreviation: WDHO

An orthotic that uses the muscles of the wrist, esp. the extensor muscles, to drive the fingers together into a grasping motion. It can be used by people with paralysis of the hand to improve the ability to hold on to and release objects.

wrist-driven wrist-hand orthosis

Abbreviation: WDWHO

A dynamic splint used for functional grasp by people with C6 tetraplegia.

See: tenodesis (2); universal cuff.

---

ANKLE-FOOT ORTHOSIS

ankle-foot orthosis

Abbreviation: AFO

Any of a class of external orthopedic appliances, braces, or splints devised to control, limit, or assist foot and ankle motion and provide leg support. Typically, orthotics are made of lightweight materials such as thermoplastics. See: illustration

Patient care

A variety of ankle-foot orthoses are used. In the treatment of Achilles' tendon rupture, e.g., the orthosis holds the foot at a right angle to the horizontal plane of the body, in plantar flexion.

See also: orthosis

ankle foot orthosis

; AFO orthotic device (made to a cast of the foot and ankle) to maintain ankle joint neutral; indicated for patients with footdrop secondary to anterior-compartment muscle dysfunction