1. Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses (KAFOs)
ORTHOTIC SYSTEMS
Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses (KAFOs)

2. KAFOs
Designs
Materials
Uprights
Joints
Control Components

3. KAFOs
Designs
Metal
Plastic
Hybrid

4. KAFO Materials
Metal KAFOs
Uprights
Bands
Joints
Stirrups
Leatherwork

5. KAFO Materials
Plastic KAFOs
Thermoplastics
Uprights
Joints
Straps

6. KAFO Uprights Aluminum Stainless Steel Lightweight
Heavier but stronger

7. KAFO Knee Joints
Free/limited motion
Locking

8. KAFO Knee Joints Single Axis Free Motion Controls hyperextension
When M-L control is needed

9. KAFO Knee Joints Offset Free Motion Axis is posterior
Increased knee extension stability

10. KAFO Knee Joints Polycentric Free Motion Multiple axes of motion
More closely approximates instantaneous axis of rotation in anatomical knee joint

11. KAFO Knee Joints Drop Lock
Metal ring drops over top of joint, preventing flexion
Simplest of locks

12. KAFO Knee Joints Bale Lock
Both locks are connected by metal hoop, or bale
Locks are disengaged by pulling bale up
Locks engage automatically when orthosis is extended

13. Metal KAFO Ankle Joints
Free motion
Dorsiflexion assist
Double-action

14. Metal KAFO Ankle Joints
Free/Limited Motion
ROM determined by stirrup head shape

15. Metal KAFO Ankle Joints
Dorsiflexion Assist
Posterior spring creates dorsiflexion moment

16. Metal KAFO Ankle Joints
Double-action
Anterior & posterior channels allow for insertion of pins and/or springs to provide various combinations of ROM and assist

17. Plastic KAFO Ankle Joints
Free or limited motion
Variable motion

18. Plastic KAFO Ankle Joints
Tamarack
Flexible with no ROM control
One variant can produce dorsiflexion assist
DF Assist
Neutral

19. Plastic KAFO Ankle Joints
Oklahoma
More rigid than Tamarack with single axis of motion
No inherent ROM control

20. Plastic KAFO Ankle Joints
ROM Controls
Molded into plastic at time of fabrication
Used in conjunction with previous joints to limit or influence ROM
Adjustable Stop
Dorsiflexion Assist

21. Plastic KAFO Ankle Joints
Friddle Variable Motion
Allows fixed or variable ROM
Cannot be adjusted on patient

22. Plastic KAFO Ankle Joints
Camber ankle joint
Cams are installed to create limited ROM
One of several designs using interchangeable components to produce specific ROM

23. Plastic KAFO Ankle Joints
Laminated foot plate w/ stirrup
Used when high stress or activity is anticipated
Allows for use of metal ankle joints

24. KAFO Control components
Supra/Infra Patellar Pads
Generates extension moments above and below knee axis

25. KAFO Control components
Full knee control pad/strap
Generates extension moment over patella which is actually above knee axis
May have flange (shown) to provide M/L control

26. KAFO Control components
Adjustable extension component
Position of serrated ring over serrated disc determines point of full extension
Useful for knee flexion tightness/contractures

27. KAFO Control components
Quad/Narrow M-L Brim
Provides method to un-weight knee and distal extremity during stance phase

28. KAFO Control components
Hip joints/Pelvic band
Created increased hip and trunk stability
Some designs generate a reciprocating action to produce a swing-through gait