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:

Stretching KAFOs are intended to provide a continual, gentle stretch to the soft tissue, musculature and joints of patient’s knees and ankles and intrinsic foot structure. The purpose is to maintain or if possible, improve and the positioning and mobility of the patient’s legs.

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Your child should be wearing a long snug sock, tights, or pajamas. Care should be taken to minimize wrinkles in the areas where the orthosis will be applying pressure onto your child’s legs and feet. The knee joint of the orthosis should be locked at 90 degrees so that you can bend your child’s leg and bring his knee up toward his chest. Have your child lay on their back with their knee and hip flexed. This is with the knee towards the chest.

• Secure the straps and pad at the ankle first. Your orthotist gave you specific instructions as to which straps to fasten first and which side to tuck the pad into. When the ankle straps are secure, check the peek hole to make sure that the heel is seated all the way back and down into the orthosis.

• 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. Position the pretibial shell around the knee with the Velcro straps. You should be able to feel the patella (knee cap) through the padding in between the plastic plates.

• Ensure the knee joint is operating properly and that all parts of the orthosis are correctly aligned.

• 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 they are not cramped.

• Check your child’s KAFOs while they are sleeping to be sure they are getting a stretch. Adjust the knee joints according to comfort first, then stretch with the tool you were given. Do not increase the tension by more than one full number per week. Check your child’s feet and legs for any red marks or pressure areas and call us immediately with any questions or problems.

POTENTIAL RISKS and PRECAUTIONS:

All orthoses should be inspected by caregivers on a regular basis to ensure that the structural integrity of the materials and components are withstanding the rigors of regular 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 or a loss of function of the orthosis. There is also risk that failure of components could lead to improper joint controls, loss of correct movement and potential for pain, tissue breakdown or injury. Patients may also be undergoing changes with growth, development and mobility, leading to changes in how the orthosis fits or functions. 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 nighttime stretch KAFOs are not made for walking and should only be worn during down time.

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

As with all orthoses, putting them on correctly is very important to insuring their comfort and effectiveness. As the parent, you are responsible for making sure that any one who will be putting the orthosis on your child is capable of doing it correctly.

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:
Andy Rolewicz cell – 217-454-0839
Kevin Soules cell – (517) 262-1089

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