Generally, the shoes we often use are mostly: slippers, cloth shoes, leather shoes, etc. If you have never been injured, you are definitely not familiar with AFO. AFO stands for Ankle-Foot-Orthosis, which is simply an ankle-foot orthosis. Its main function is to provide support and fixation to protect the ankle and foot, and help maintain or improve gait.
Structure of the production
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Base
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Material: Mostly lightweight plastic or composite materials, with non-slip rubber soles.
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Design: Features a curved bottom (rocker sole) to help reduce pressure on toe joints during walking.
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Bracket (side plate)
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Material: Hard plastic or aluminum alloy, fixed to both sides of the base, supporting the calf.
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Function: Prevents lateral and excessive movement of the ankle.
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Lining / Soft cover
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Material: Breathable foam, fabric.
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Function: Reduces friction, provides comfort, some styles are removable and washable.
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Fixation system
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Velcro straps: Easy to adjust tightness, fix the calf, ankle, and instep.
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Air Boot style: Can be inflated with a pump to make the boot fit more snugly, reducing swelling and movement.
While this seemingly less functional and less differentiated assistive device has a significant price difference:
Sole design affects recovery speed
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Rocker Sole: A good orthotic shoe sole will have a "rocker design" to make the gait more natural when walking, reducing the pressure transfer from heel to toe. For patients with fractures or ligament damage, it can reduce the risk of secondary injury and help them recover faster.
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Ordinary flat sole: Walking causes significant vibration and the ankle bears more pressure, which can easily cause pain or delay recovery.
2. Shock absorption and anti-slip differences
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High-quality sole: Multi-layer structure, inner layer absorbs shock, outer layer is anti-slip, making it less likely to slip on hard surfaces or outdoors and reducing impact on the knees and lower back.
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Low-price sole: Usually only a single layer of plastic, with poor anti-slip and shock absorption effects, making feet more tired after walking for a long time.
3. Stability and safety
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High-end shoe soles are wider and have strong support, preventing ankle sprains, which is especially important for patients with fractures or after surgery.
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Cheap shoe soles are narrow and have a simple structure, lacking stability, making it easy to accidentally twist the ankle while walking.
4. Lifespan
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High-end sole: The material is wear-resistant and will not deform with long-term use.
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Low-price sole: Easily worn down and deformed, with reduced support, significantly reducing the effectiveness.
"You can imagine that this orthotic shoe is helping your foot 'get around', and the sole is its heart. A good sole makes you walk more naturally and safely, and your foot injury recovers faster; while a cheap sole is inexpensive, but lacks sufficient shock absorption and support. In the long run, it is not only uncomfortable, but may also prolong the recovery time. This is why many doctors recommend the Air Boot style or high-end sole style, because it can really help you suffer less and get better faster."
