Principles of Ankle-Foot Orthosis Prescription in Ambulatory Bilateral Cerebral Palsy

Maintenance of upright posture and gait mobility is frequently a goal in supporting children with cerebral palsy (CP). Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) can play an important role in normalizing gait function in this population. Properly designed orthotic interventions consider common ankle and foot deformities, range-of-motion limitations, and natural history of CP. Successful AFO prescription often requires interaction with complementary interventions such as physical therapy, spasticity management, and/or orthopedic management. Recognizing the impact of plantar flexion contractures and the effects of footwear on AFO alignment is key to effective orthotic management of gait dysfunction in children with CP.