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What is a drop foot splint?
Drop foot is a general term used when someone has difficulty lifting the front part of their foot. Drop foot is usually a sign of an underlying neurological, muscular or anatomical problem. At Children’s Orthotics, we have access to all devices available on the market, tailored to suit the needs of children.
A drop foot splint is designed to resist a child’s foot from dropping. In turn, this can improve the appearance of a child’s walking style, improve mobility and reduce trips and falls. Many different splints exist. To find the best one for your child, please seek professional advice from us.
What drop foot splints are available for children?
There are a number of different types of orthotics that can be provided to help with the management of drop foot, including custom made and off the shelf devices.
All of our devices are specially designed for children to ensure the best possible fit.
Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) - This device can be used to improve walking patterns by reducing, preventing or limiting movement of the lower leg and foot by supporting weak muscles. They are also used to maintain joint alignment, accommodate deformity and help reduce spasticity.
An AFO can be made from many different materials to best suit a child’s requirements. Our experienced orthotists will take a cast or scan your foot and ankle to ensure your device provides a perfect fit.
Soft Wrap Orthosis (Foot up) - These are off the shelf devices which provide the foot with an assisted lift through the use of elastic straps. Soft wraps can be a lightweight and discreet option for children.
Soft wrap orthotics are not suitable for users who have instability of the ankle in conjunction with foot drop. Our experienced orthotist team will assess suitability for a soft strap orthosis.
Silicone Ankle Foot Orthosis (SAFO) - Like the AFO, the SAFO works by supporting the front of the leg down to the top of the foot, helping to lift the foot during walking. The SAFO is the most cosmetically pleasing orthosis. Made from reinforced silicone, it is flexible and can be made in seven different colours, the SAFO can go un-noticed.
TurboMed - The TurboMed is considered an excellent device for treating drop foot. The TurboMed fits externally onto most footwear, proving to be a strong and reliable piece of equipment. Proven to be especially popular with young athletes and children with an active lifestyle, the TurboMed can be very effective. It is worth noting that it may not be suitable for everyone so expert advice from our orthotists will be required.
Resting/ Night Splints - When resting, many children suffer from pain or discomfort caused by drop foot. This is commonly due to muscle paralysis or increased muscle tone. We have access to a range of comfortable splints to help your child manage their drop foot and reduce muscle tightness while resting or while sleeping.
Carbon Fibre - A wide variety of orthotics can be made from carbon fibre. The material is strong and lightweight. Weight reduction has been proven to have an immediate positive clinical impact. Carbon fibre also has excellent energy storage and energy return properties. At Children’s Orthotics, our team of experienced orthotists will be able to assess your child’s suitability for a carbon fibre support. If deemed necessary, a cast, scan and measurements will be taken.
There are many other orthotic devices that can be used to manage a child’s drop foot. Please contact us to arrange an assessment when we can assess and provide the most suitable orthosis for your child’s needs.
What are the indications for use of a drop foot splint?
Indications of drop foot in your child may include:
- Struggling to lift their foot up from the ankle joint
- Stepping higher on the affected side to clear the dropped foot when the leg is swinging through
- Swinging the leg to the side for greater ground clearance
- Increased tripping or falling when your child is walking
- Compensatory movements to stop the toes from dragging on the floor, in time, this can cause problems for other parts of the body
If you are concerned your child may have a drop foot, please contact us to provide you with some expert advice.
What conditions are drop foot splints used for?
Drop foot itself is a symptom rather than a condition and is caused by weakness or paralysis on one or more muscles responsible for supporting the foot. This can be due to muscular damage or disease which weakens the foot.
Drop foot can occur as a result of:
- Polio
- Cerebral Palsy
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth
- Stroke
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Sciatica
- Nerve impingement in lower back
- Trauma
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Post medical procedures
This is not an extensive list of conditions. If you are unsure if your child would be suitable for a drop foot splint, please contact us to discuss.
What are the benefits of a drop foot splint?
A range of orthoses can be used to treat drop foot, depending on the severity of the condition and individual requirements. Benefits from drop foot splints include:
- Increased walking distance
- Reduced pain
- Improved balance
- Improved posture
- Improved gait (the way a child walks)
- Prevents trips or falls
What is the process to receive a drop foot splint?
The process to receive a drop foot splint would be:
- Assessment
- Measuring / Casting
- Fitting
- Review
Due to the wide variety of drop foot splints available it is important for our orthotist to accurately assess each child’s individual condition and presentation to establish the most suitable orthotic device. This assessment will involve discussing the child’s symptoms, lifestyle and goals. The orthotist will observe the child’s walking and full range of motion plus muscle power tests undertaken. The orthotist will then take a series of measurements or a plaster cast/ scan if the orthotic device is bespoke. This will ensure the child's orthoses is the correct size and fits comfortably.