Parent Hints

Tips For Parents Using the Ponseti AFO Brace

To be read in conjunction with the leaflet accompanying the sandals.

• The AFOs come preset at 60 degrees which is the same as 70 degrees in the Markells. Your consultant will advise as necessary whether the angles can be adjusted.
• When you first get the sandals, try and treat them with a suede protector – helps with spills!
• You may find it helpful to dip the ends of the straps in varnish – it hardens the suede and makes it easier to thread them through the buckle
• Children should always wear snug, pattern free socks
• For younger children who sleep a lot, it may be helpful when first using the AFO, to put it on whilst the child is asleep – this helps you to get used to how they fit, and get the ‘knack’ of fitting them when the legs are still!
• When fitting, lay the child on their back, or sitting with the feet towards you
• It can be difficult to ‘slide’ the feet into the sandals. So hold the foot on either side of the ankle, and place in to the back of the sandal – as far back and down as you can get it. Hold the foot in this position whilst doing the buckles up. If the foot moves, then refit.
• Do the middle buckle first, followed by the top and bottom buckles
• Make sure there are no kinks in the leather.
• The middle strap is the most important strap – ensure this is nice and tight
• Don’t expect the heel to always ‘come down’ right from the start – in some cases it can take a number of weeks
• Ensure the length of the AFO (from middle screw to middle screw) is the same width or slightly longer than the width of the shoulders
• If the degrees need to be adjusted, you need to remove the outer screw, then the screw in the middle just needs to be loosened to turn the dial, then depending on the angle you want, the screw needs to go back into a hole which aligns with the angle (you'll see when you do it for yourselves!)
• When putting the sandals on at bedtime, try and allow time for the child to wear the sandals for a while before going to bed. This seems to help children settle better than if the sandals are put on immediately before getting into bed.