New DAFO Casting From Orthotics

George has been a user of the orthotics service since he was 12 months old.  At that time, he was described as “floppy” - this was before he was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). He started off being prescribed with Piedro boots. These were fantastic at the time as George was unable to bear any weight on his feet and ankles, until he had the support that the boots gave him. He was eventually able to take his first steps when he was 2 years old, with the support of his Piedros.

After his Piedro boots, George was prescribed with Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO), otherwise known as splints, for both legs. These were made by putting a plaster cast on both legs, including ankles and feet, and ensuring his feet were in the correct position as the plaster dried. Once the plaster dried, it was cut away from his legs and the plaster used as a mould to create an AFO for each leg. The advantage of AFOs was that it meant that George could wear different shoes, other than just having a pair of Piedro boots. The disadvantage was that the various straps on the AFOs used to damage the shoes he was wearing, so he would get through shoes really quickly. The other disadvantage was that they used to restrict what George could wear on his legs, as some of his trousers and jeans weren’t wide enough to accommodate the AFOs around his legs. George also found them more uncomfortable than Piedro boots, as they went to just below his knee.

As a result of George’s thoughts about his AFOs, he was prescribed with Dynamic Ankle Foot Orthosis (DAFO) at his last casting. These are very similar to AFOs but are shorter, which eliminates some of the disadvantages of AFOs. They also feel less restrictive to George too.

This morning George went to be cast for new DAFOs, as he has outgrown his old ones. His feet and ankles are just as floppy now as they were when he was 12 months old and it takes a lot of effort on the part of the orthotist who casts him, to make sure that his feet and ankles are in the correct position, while the plaster dries. He always smiles while he’s being cast and takes great pleasure in choosing a transfer to go on his DAFOs when they are made. Today he has chosen building blocks as his transfer for his DAFOs, as they remind him of one of his favourite games - ROBLOX.

The new DAFOs will be ready for him in October and hopefully will last awhile before he needs to be cast again 🙂