Some of our clients might be looking for something different to address their suffering from peripheral neuropathies, traumatic nerve damage, cerebral palsy, stroke, MS or Charcot-Marie-Tooth. Otto Bock has a that something different in their range of silicone AFO’s that are more discreet than standard drop foot splints, whilst providing excellent support and function to help with your everyday needs.
Suitable for those with mild dorsiflexion weakness or with complete dorsiflexion loss with mild spasticity, these splints have some key features that is pretty unique to this product.
These SAFO’s (Silicone Ankle Foot Orthosis) are made from medical-grade silicone, resulting in a splint that is:
Soft but durable
Skin-friendly
Breathable
Waterproof
Odourless
UV resistant
Hygienic
Easily cleaned with warm water and a pH neutral soap
In addition to the above-mentioned features, there are also the advantages from a medical point of view:
Soft silicone on the sole of the brace, together with the open heel design, allows better proprioception when the foot is on the ground
Different Shore hardness's provides stability and flexibility in the right areas resulting in more stability, greater stride length and speed
Supports the fine motor movements of the foot and ankle and improves sensorimotor feedback
Risk of skin pressure points or abrasions are considerably reduced thanks to the flexible properties of silicone
SAFO’s are designed with the higher Shore areas sitting on the front of the leg, extending from the front of the shin down to the top of the foot. This blocks the toes from dropping down when lifting the foot. The full wrap-around design of the SAFO assists with maintaining better foot position as the leg and foot transition through the different phases of the gait cycle.
Because SAFO’s are custom manufactured, you are in the driver’s seat when it comes to design, colour, trimlines and fastening methods. The custom size will ensure a comfortable fit and because of the low-profile design, you’ll be able to get it into most footwear. Unlike other drop foot splints, you can wear this one without shoes too, making days on the beach or at the swimming pool much easier!
Depending on your activity level, hobbies and intended use, we will choose one of the following models to meet your needs:
SAFO Classic: The original design, this AFO easily meets your everyday needs while offering a low profile and functional drop foot solution that fits like a glove (or sock in this case!)
SAFO Sport: For those patients requiring a solution for their higher impact needs, like jumping, hiking or running.
SAFO Junior: With this model our younger patients can customize the look of their drop foot splint with cartoon characters, sports, superheroes... the options are endless!
Thanks to a trial kit made available by Otto Bock, we will be able to test a SAFO for you during your appointment to determine if this is a suitable option for you. If you like what you feel, we can get the process started!
Get in touch today to see if we can assist with this high-end, yet discreet, solution.
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