You may have been provided with a knee-ankle-foot orthosis, or KAFO, which has been designed to meet your individual needs.
KAFOs are provided to compensate for muscle weakness, paralysis or skeletal problems which cause lower limb instability. The KAFO aims to make standing and walking easier by:
KAFOs are complex devices so their designs vary to suit each individual.
There are two main types:
Using a KAFO puts a large demand on your body and may cause premature wear and tear in your joints.
You should continue to be mindful of your surroundings as the risk of falls remains when using your KAFO.
You can put your KAFO on when sitting or lying down.
Make sure all the straps on your KAFO and footwear are fastened securely.
If your KAFO has knee joint locks, be sure to lock these before bearing weight through the KAFO.
You should hear a ‘click’ when you straighten your leg to lock the joints but you should also check these manually.
KAFOs should always be worn under your trousers
If you are wearing for the first time you will have to gradually increase the amount of time used to allow your skin to adapt.
Before putting the KAFO on you should inspect it to make sure the knee joints move freely without resistance and if it has a lock that these engage correctly and fully.
You should also check for any other defects.
You should gradually increase the time you wear your KAFO, starting on the first day by wearing it for one hour. On the second day wearing it for two hours. Gradually increasing in this way until you can wear the KAFO all day. This allows your skin to adjust to the supportive pressures which the KAFO applies.
Begin by using your KAFO in a safe, indoor environment.
If your KAFO becomes uncomfortable, stop using it. If the pain persists then seek advice from the Orthotics department by calling: 01274 082929.
When selecting shoes to wear with your KAFO, look for the following features:
It is important to select supportive shoes which are comfortable to maximise the benefits of the KAFO.
You can clean your KAFO with a damp cloth and dry with a towel. Do not dry over sources of heat as this may deform the plastic.
Check the KAFO material regularly for any cracks or signs of wear and tear.
Each time you use your KAFO, check the joints and rivets for wear and tear.
If your footwear is adapted with sockets for the KAFO, please check these regularly to make sure they have not become loose.
Do not attempt repairs yourself
Contact the Orthotics department for review.
Straps and padding will wear with use so you can arrange repairs with the Orthotics department.
Following the first supply of your KAFO you will have a review appointment made.
After this your KAFO should have a 6 monthly maintenance check.
Please make sure that you bring in your KAFOs to every review appointment, even if they are no longer worn due to pain, damage or no longer fit. This way the Orthotist can check the fit of the KAFO(s) and adjust or repair them if necessary.
If your KAFO is exposed to high humidity, wet, dust or urine (due to incontinence) etc then a 3 monthly check of the joints is advised by the manufacture.
Please make sure you bring your KAFO to the department regularly for checking.
Our opening hours are:
Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 4.00pm
Contact us on 01274 082929
Orthotics Department
Level 6
West Riding House
41 Cheapside
Bradford
BD1 2NB
You can contact us using the Relay UK app. Textphone users will need to dial 18001 ahead of the number to be contacted.
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a smoke-free organisation. You are not permitted to smoke or in use e-cigarettes in any of the hospital buildings or grounds.
