Ankle Foot Orthosis
A brace encompassing the ankle and foot, designed to control motion, correct deformity, or support weakened musculature in the lower limb.
Full Definition
An ankle foot orthosis (AFO) is an external device that spans the ankle joint and foot to manage a range of neuromuscular or musculoskeletal conditions. It may be rigid, semi-rigid, or articulated depending on the clinical objective. Editors must be aware that the full form 'Ankle Foot Orthosis' (capitalised, no hyphen between 'Ankle' and 'Foot') is the preferred clinical term. The acronym AFO is widely accepted in clinical documentation but should be defined on first use in patient-facing materials. This device category is distinct from a foot orthosis, which does not extend above the ankle.
Usage
Usage note: Do not hyphenate 'ankle foot' in the noun form; hyphenation is acceptable only in adjectival use (e.g., 'ankle-foot brace design'). Avoid the colloquial 'ankle brace' in formal clinical documents.
In Context
- "The clinician documented that the patient required a rigid ankle foot orthosis to manage spastic drop foot." — Clinical case note
- "Ensure that 'ankle foot orthosis' is not hyphenated between the first two words when used as a noun phrase in the discharge summary." — Editorial style guide