AFO
Also written as: AFO — Ankle-Foot Orthosis
A brace extending from below the knee to the foot, used to support, align, or correct the ankle and foot during movement.
Full Definition
An Ankle-Foot Orthosis (AFO) is one of the most commonly prescribed orthotic devices in rehabilitation, used to manage conditions such as foot drop, spasticity, and ankle instability arising from stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or spinal cord injury. AFOs may be rigid, hinged, or dynamic and are typically fabricated from thermoplastic materials or carbon fibre. In editorial copy, 'AFO' should be spelled out in full on first use; note the correct hyphenation 'ankle-foot' with a hyphen. Editors should not confuse AFO with KAFO (knee-ankle-foot orthosis), which extends above the knee.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenate 'ankle-foot' in both the full form and adjectival use. Expand on first use within any document.
In Context
- "The physiotherapist prescribed a hinged AFO to facilitate heel-to-toe gait pattern." — Physiotherapy progress note
- "The clinical trial enrolled participants who had been using an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) for at least six months." — Research paper