Design, Manufacture, and Selection of Ankle-Foot-Orthoses

Ankle-foot-orthoses (AFOs) are externally applied assistive devices that are prescribed to the patients with neuromuscular dysfunctions in order to improve abnormal lower limb motor functions. To improve the effectiveness of the AFOs, novel patient-specific designs have been carried out for recent years. According to the level and type of the dysfunctions, there are a variety of designs available in clinics. Different AFO designs, such as solid, dynamic, and hinged can be prescribed for different abnormalities. New designs lead to development of new manufacturing methods. The most conventional manufacturing technique includes a molding process in which the lower part of the leg is casted by producing a positive cast to represent patients' shank, ankle, and foot. However, different manufacturing methods have been improved due to the different design and material requirements. All these developments affect the selection of the AFO. In this chapter, a substantial survey regarding design, manufacture, and selection of AFOs is provided and future trends about these issues are discussed.