The Withers Orthopaedic Centre, Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast, UK
Abstract:
The use of polypropylene thermoplastic has caused a revolution in the design of ankle and foot orthoses in recent years. There are many variants in design to suit individual needs. A lively orthosis has been developed at this centre for those patients with weak or absent dorsiflexion of the foot and free passive ankle movements. This design overcomes problems of fatigue failure found in conventional designs and greatly enhances the dynamic cosmesis of this type of orthosis.