You have demonstrated that you are confident in donning your child’s orthosis correctly. Correctly putting on your child’s orthosis is the most important key to ensuring that it will be comfortable and function as it is intended. Anyone who puts the orthosis on your child should be able to demonstrate that they can do it correctly before given that responsibility.

PURPOSE AND FUNCTION:

KAFOs are designed to provide assistance to your child’s legs, helping to maintain proper positioning and joint stabilization as needed for standing or stepping stability. Your child’s KAFOs were made according to physician prescription as well as to provide the most appropriate types of available controls and freedom to help facilitate improved function and mobility. As your child grows and changes, continued follow up and reevaluation is necessary to ensure that the KAFOs are functioning well and providing the support needed by your child.

INSTRUCTIONS:

When you put the KAFOs on your child, do the following:

• Your child should be wearing a long, snug sock or tights to keep a fabric liner between the plastic of the orthosis and the skin. Care should be taken to minimize wrinkles in the areas where the orthosis will be applying pressure onto your child’s legs and feet. When donning, have your child lay on their back and lock the knee joint of the orthosis at 90 degrees, according to the instructions your orthotist gave you. With the knee flexed, bend your child’s leg and bring his knee up toward his chest and place the child’s foot and lower leg into the orthosis.

• Secure the straps and pad at the ankle first according to the instructions the orthotist gave you. When the ankle straps are secure, check the peek hole or heel area of the AFO section to ensure that the heel is seated all the way back and down into the orthosis with the straps snug.

• With the heel seated correctly into the orthosis, unlock the knee joint and bring the leg into as much extension (straighten) as it will go positioning the thigh cuff around your child’s thigh. Position the pretibial shell around the knee with the Velcro straps ensuring that the pretibial shell is properly tucked into the AFO section, as your orthotist instructed.

• Adjust and set the knee joint, making sure it is operating properly and that all parts of the orthosis are correctly aligned. Your child’s KAFO may have knee joints that are designed to be locked or unlocked during use, depending on specific need that were explained during the delivery.

• Pull available slack out of socks or tights to make sure that no wrinkles are forming in areas of pressure. Pull the sock out at the toe area as well to insure that the toes are not cramped.

• For the first 3 to 4 days of use, only have your child wear the KAFOs for 2 to 3 hours at a time. Remove the KAFOs and inspect the skin throughout your child’s feet and legs to ensure that no pressure problems are developing. Contact our office if there are any red marks that do not dissipate within 20 minutes to ½ hour.

• Check your child’s KAFOs while they are standing to ensure that they are functioning properly. Please inspect all screws and fasteners weekly to ensure that they are properly tightened and secure.

POTENTIAL RISKS AND PRECAUTIONS:

All orthoses should be inspected on a regular basis to ensure that the structural integrity of the materials and components are withstanding the rigors of daily use. With any orthotic device there is potential for material or component failure. There is risk that a fracture in the material could create sharp edges causing injury or a loss of function of the orthosis. Failure of components could lead to improper joint controls, loss of balance and potential for falls or injury. For these reasons, it is very important for caregivers to inspect each orthosis on a regular basis and report any safety concerns to Pediatric Orthotic Specialists immediately.

HELPFUL TIPS:

The KAFOs should be kept clean -wash out with soap and water as needed. Air dry.

The daytime KAFOs are made only to be worn with shoes. Never allow your child to try to stand or walk in the KAFOs without shoes.

If the Velcro wears out, contact us and we can replace it.

Please call our Grand Rapids office if you have any other questions or problems regarding the orthotics. (616)956-5556

In case of an after hours emergency, please contact:
Gabe Beversluis cell– 616-540-8028
Kevin Soules cell – 517-262-1089

Contact your child’s PCP regarding any health changes or concerns.