Health Care Professionals

AFOs and Interfaces: The Important Role of Socks

(continued)

Conclusion

Patients do not visit clinicians merely to be given an orthosis and sent home. They rely on us for information, education, and the assurance that their orthosis will do the job without compromising the skin and soft tissues of their feet and legs. I believe the appropriate interface and appropriate footwear working together with the orthosis, as described, can help patients through the rehabilitative or assistive process. Moreover, focusing on the interface between the AFO and the skin is not only good for patients—it actually saves time and effort for practitioners over the long term by reducing or eliminating the need for multiple visits and adjustments. Now is the time for practitioners to develop and apply standards and a protocol for the type of interface our patients should wear between their lower extremities and their AFOs.

 

References

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