Foot orthoses are specially designed shoe inserts that help support the feet and improve foot posture. People who have chronic foot or leg problems that interfere with the health and functioning of their feet may be prescribed orthoses by their orthotist. For example, someone prone to calluses can have the pressure of their body weight redistributed across their feet with the aid of custom-fitted shoe inserts. Athletes may also wear orthoses to help correct foot problems that could hinder their performance.

An AFO is a device that is used to control instabilities in the lower limb by maintaining proper alignment and controlling motion. It is most often used with patients suffering from neurological or orthopedic conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, fractures, sprains and arthritis. A plastic AFO is custom fabricated with molded plastic that encloses the back of the calf and bottom of the foot. It may be fabricated with or without ankle motion. It is to be worn with a Velcro or lace up shoe. It should only be worn by the intended recipient.

A Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis or KAFO is a lower extremity orthotic that is used to control instabilities in the knee and lower limb by maintaining proper alignment and controlling motion. Instabilities can be caused by broken bones, arthritic joints, hyperextension of the knee, muscle weakness and/or paralysis. As there are many different reasons that a person may need to utilize a KAFO, there are many different designs for a KAFO based on necessity. A KAFO may be made with leather components or with plastic components. It also has a variety of knee joints (from drop locks to no locks) that is determined by a person’s condition.

This device is basically a KAFO with the addition of a hip joint and pelvic section. The addition of the hip joint and pelvic section provides control to selected hip motions. These selected motions about the hip are front to back, side to side, and rotation. One reason the hip section is added to a KAFO is to reduce or minimize the risk of the hip moving out of proper position or dislocating. Another common reason is to stabilize the hip and lower spine in cases where the patient is weak or paralyzed.

A knee orthosis (KO) or knee brace is a brace that extends above and below the knee joint and is generally worn to support or align the knee. In the case of diseases causing neurological or muscular impairment of muscles surrounding the knee, a KO can prevent flexion or extension instability of the knee. In the case of conditions affecting the ligaments or cartilage of the knee, a KO can provide stabilization to the knee by replacing the function of these injured or damaged parts.

Hip orthosis is used in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders of hip joint such as degeneration of hip joint, ligament injury of hip joint, fracture around hip joint etc.