Which AFO feature is attached on the lateral side to restrain supination?

Which AFO feature is attached on the lateral side to restrain supination?

• A. AFO: Varus Correction strap
• B. AFO: Dorsiflexion spring assist
• C. AFO: Posterior leaf spring
• D. Molded AFOs

Answer: (A)

When you want to limit the foot turning inward (inversion) at the ankle, you use a feature that creates a valgus-directed force on the hindfoot. A strap attached on the lateral side of the AFO does exactly that: it pulls or resists inward roll, helping to restrain supination. This lateral-side adjustment applies a counter-moment that keeps the foot from rotating into inversion during stance. The other options serve different purposes. A dorsiflexion spring assist is aimed at increasing ankle dorsiflexion in the swing phase, not at controlling hindfoot inversion. A posterior leaf spring primarily aids dorsiflexion and toe clearance by being at the back of the device, with less direct effect on frontal-plane foot positioning. Molded AFOs describe the general custom shape and support but don’t specify a mechanism to counteract inversion.

When you want to limit the foot turning inward (inversion) at the ankle, you use a feature that creates a valgus-directed force on the hindfoot. A strap attached on the lateral side of the AFO does exactly that: it pulls or resists inward roll, helping to restrain supination. This lateral-side adjustment applies a counter-moment that keeps the foot from rotating into inversion during stance.

The other options serve different purposes. A dorsiflexion spring assist is aimed at increasing ankle dorsiflexion in the swing phase, not at controlling hindfoot inversion. A posterior leaf spring primarily aids dorsiflexion and toe clearance by being at the back of the device, with less direct effect on frontal-plane foot positioning. Molded AFOs describe the general custom shape and support but don’t specify a mechanism to counteract inversion.