Foot Drop is the inability to lift the foot correctly during walking due to the weakness or paralysis of the muscles. When one has a stroke, the part of the brain that controls the muscles to the foot may be affected, causing Foot Drop. Many types of braces, or Ankle Foot Orthosis are available as treatment options to maintain mobility.

1. Strokeand Foot DropTreatment Solutions

2. Foot Drop the inability to lift the foot correctly during walking due to the weakness or paralysis of the muscles shuffling of the foot high stepping gait or possibly catching a toe, tripping and falling

3. Stroke and Foot Drop When one has a stroke, the part of the brain that controls the muscles to the foot may be affected, causing Foot Drop Please note - many other diseases and injuries may result in foot drop and it is essential to obtain a proper diagnosis from a qualified medical professional.

4. Many Treatment Options Many types of braces, or ankle foot orthosis (AFO)

5. full assessment by a Certified Orthotist appropriate AFO solution

6. Types of Custom Made AFO Flexible – a plastic brace worn inside the shoe, offering good “lift” for the foot Rigid - a plastic brace worn inside the shoe, offering complete immobilization and control of the foot and ankle and good control of the knee Hinged – a plastic brace worn inside the shoe, offering good lift for the foot with good side to side control and some knee control with adjustable dorsiflexion Conventional - a metal and leather brace attached to the outside of the shoe offering good control of the foot, ankle and knee and allowing for swelling

7. Flexible AFO

8. Rigid AFO similar to flexible AFO, but stiffer no dorsiflexion no side to side motion Reinforced at the back of the ankle

9. Hinged AFO allows for controlled motion of the ankle good control of the foot, ankle and knee

10. Conventional AFO made of metal and leather good control of foot, ankle & knee attached outside of the shoe allowances for swelling

11. Making a Custom Made AFO

12. The WalkAide® System Revolutionary medical device Gentle functional electrical stimulation driven by computer programming Signals the muscles in the leg to contract and lift the foot at the appropriate time

13. Ready Made Ankle Foot Orthoses Appropriate in some cases variable sizes Trulife Matrix good support provided that the proper type is used and the fit is good Plastic ready made AFO’s

14. Cost

15. More Information Click through for more information on: Ankle Foot Orthoses AFO Walkaide – Living with Foot Drop Walkaide – Breakthrough Medical Treatment for Foot Drop To find a Certified Orthotist in Canada go to: http://www.pando.ca/member_search.php

16. Thank You For more information or a free copy of this presentation, please contact Linda at lindalaakso@customorthotic.ca www.customorthotic.ca