To AFO, or not to AFO….that’s the question.

Your doctor or physical therapist may have suggested that you use an AFO (Ankle Foot Orthotic), because you don’t have enough muscle control over the foot muscles to lift your toes when you walk.  Here’s something to consider:  Using an AFO makes walking much easier and safer right NOW……but also decreases the chance of ever regaining muscle control over that foot.  If an AFO is used consistently, the brain no longer attempts to use those muscles that lift your toes and foot (because it doesn’t need to anymore), and therefore the strength of your foot and ankle actually DECREASE!  You might also have a decrease in range of motion at the ankle, if the AFO holds your foot in one position.

An alternative that you may or may not have heard about is Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES).  Many companies make devices that use small bursts of electrical signal directly to your lower leg muscles, to lift your foot at the right time during the walking cycle.  Ask you doctor or PT about FES, and see if it could be an alternative to AFO for you.