Which is an indication for the use of an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO)?

Which is an indication for the use of an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO)?

• A. Medial and lateral instability of knee or ankle
• B. Insufficient knee extension moment
• C. Lack of/ineffective push-off
• D. Inadequate toe clearance

Answer: (A)

Ankle-foot orthoses are most suited for providing stability and alignment at the ankle and foot during the stance phase of gait. When there is medial or lateral instability at the ankle (the ankle tends to move into too much inward or outward tilt), an AFO helps by restricting excessive motion in the coronal plane and supporting the arch, which in turn stabilizes the knee and tibia as the body weight transfers forward. This mediolateral control reduces compensatory movements, improves foot placement on the ground, and makes walking safer and more energy-efficient. While some AFO designs can influence knee extension moment or assist with push-off or toe clearance, these are not the primary reasons for prescribing an AFO. The central goal is to prevent collapse or misalignment at the ankle that would destabilize the knee and overall gait.