Calipers for Polio Patients (KAFO)

My Care Prosthetics and orthotics Medical Center offers advanced, lightweight knee ankle foot orthosis with intelligent knee joints, allowing the knee to bend during the swing phase of walking and lock securely in stance. Walking freely places a high demand on any bracing system, as the orthosis has to bear the patient’s full body weight when locked. Unlike a traditional fixed calliper, these offer firm stance phase support and a free knee when bringing your leg through in the swing phase of walking. This greatly improves your walking pattern and reduce the amount of energy needed to walk. Knee-ankle-foot orthotics (KAFO) consist of an AFO with metal uprights, a mechanical knee joint, and 2 thigh bands. KAFO can be used in quadriceps paralysis or weakness to maintain knee stability and control flexible genu valgum or varum. KAFO also is used to limit the weight bearing of the thigh, leg, and foot with quadrilateral or ischial containment brim. A KAFO is more difficult to don and doff than an AFO, so it is not recommended for patients who have moderate-to-severe cognitive dysfunction. Each KAFO is custom-made to the specific requirements of the individual. There are numerous design options available that make usage of the Orthosis both functional and comfortable. A detailed examination and assessment of the patient allows us to suggest the best available component combination. A KAFO is a long-leg orthosis that spans the knee, the ankle, and the foot in an effort to stabilize the joints and assist the muscles of the leg. While there are several common indications for such an Orthosis, muscle weakness and paralysis of the leg are the ones most frequently identified. The most common causes of muscle weakness include: • Poliomyelitis • Muscular Dystrophy • Multiple Sclerosis • spinal cord injury