AFOs and Cerebral Palsy

At Orthokids, we often recommend Ankle-Foot Orthoses (AFOs) for children with cerebral palsy to support their mobility and comfort. AFOs can help in many ways — from improving foot and ankle positioning and managing deformities, to making it easier for children to stand or walk more confidently.

Every child’s needs are unique, so the way AFOs are worn can vary. Some children may only need them for short periods each day, while others may benefit from longer wear to achieve specific goals. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach — we tailor AFO use to suit each child’s movement, comfort, and long-term development.

 

AFOs for Standing and Walking

Young children with cerebral palsy or developmental delay may find it difficult to stand because of differences in muscle tone (either too high or too low), which can affect the position of their feet and ankles.

At Orthokids, we often use Ankle-Foot Orthoses (AFOs) to help improve weight-bearing posture, making it easier for children to learn how to stand and hold themselves upright.

Supporting Walking with AFOs

Walking might seem simple, but it’s actually a complex series of movements — and cerebral palsy can affect walking in many different ways.

Every child’s needs are unique, so we customise each AFO to support safe, comfortable movement and help your child reach their developmental milestones with confidence.

 

AFOs for Stability and Comfort

Some children with cerebral palsy or other movement challenges may need extra support when sitting in a wheelchair — especially if foot posture is difficult to manage. At Orthokids, we use Ankle-Foot Orthoses (AFOs) to help position and protect the feet, improve stability, and make standing transfers safer and easier.

Flexible Options for Complex Needs

Children with hard-to-fit feet, athetosis, or strong extensor tone may benefit from less rigid, wrap-around (circumferential) AFOs. These designs offer a balance of support and controlled movement, helping maintain stability while allowing some flexibility. They can be created as a single piece or a hybrid two-part design, tailored to each child’s needs.  

Custom design and manufacture for your child's individual needs

Our clinicians carefully assess each child and recommend the right AFO style to support their movement and comfort:

• Solid AFOs (SAFOs) – Recommended for children with increased muscle tone or more complex foot postures. These offer firm support and can also influence the knee and hip to improve overall leg movement.
• Hinged AFOs – Provide more support when there’s tightness in the calf or toe-walking, which is common in children with cerebral palsy.
• Lightweight carbon-fibre AFOs – Used when there’s weakness in the muscles that lift the foot (dorsiflexors), which can cause foot drop or tripping.
• Custom leaf-spring AFOs – An alternative when carbon-fibre isn’t suitable, helping lift the foot and improve walking safety.

We have almost endless design options available to us. Contact us to chat about your child's next pair of AFOs.