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How stiff are commercially available AFOs?

 

Knowing which AFO stiffness is most beneficial for the patient is the first step. However, you also need knowledge about how stiff commercially avaiable AFOs are in order to prescribe the most appropriate one. Manufacturers of prefabricated AFOs usually do not provide quantitative information regarding the stiffness of commercially available AFOs. Consequently, providing the AFO with the best stiffness is difficult as comparison between manufacturers is not possible. 

 

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An independent AFO stiffness database

To make AFO care more evidence-based we measured the stiffness of a large variety of commercially available AFOs. Independently from the manufacturers. All stiffness values are measured with the BRUCE device (link). Unfortunately this overview is not complete but it contains the most prescribed AFOs in the Netherlands. ​

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Data is based on:

Waterval, N. F. J., van der Krogt, M. M., de Jong, L. A. F., & Brehm, M. A. (2025). Orthotic characteristics of off-the-shelf ankle–foot orthoses; how size affects dimensions and stiffness. Journal of Biomechanics, 113048.

We want to thank the following grant agencies and partners for their collaboration during our research:

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