AFO
Also found in: Dictionary, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
AFO
Ankle-foot orthosisMcGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
AFO
Abbreviation for ankle-foot orthotic.
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
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
Abbreviation: AFOAny 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: WDHOAn 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: WDWHOA dynamic splint used for functional grasp by people with C6 tetraplegia.
See: tenodesis (2); universal cuff.ankle-foot orthosis
Abbreviation: AFOAny 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
Medical Dictionary, © 2009 Farlex and Partners