Your child has been prescribed and fitted with an Ankle-Foot-Orthosis (AFO) to help with their walking. The footwear needs to fit the dimensions of the AFO while providing comfort for your child.
Do the NHS provide footwear for AFOs?
We do not routinely provide shoes for over-splint use. The support will come from the AFO itself therefore supportive footwear is not required. High street footwear will give your child the freedom to choose from a wider selection of styles.
Shopping for Footwear for AFOs
We advise the following:
- Take the splints with you
- Try the splint in different sizes and styles to find the most suitable. You will need to go up 1-2 sizes to fit the splint
- Growing room is already accommodated in the splint therefore shoes only need to fit the splints
- Ensure your child’s foot fits comfortably and is not too tight around the toes
- Remove the insole in the shoe to allow for extra room
Recommended footwear styles for AFO use
- Low opening fastenings
- Shoes are favourable over boots
- Look for wide and deep styles
- Wide, firm and low heel
Example AFO friendly shoes
ELHT does not endorse any of the named brands or companies however some patients have used the following brands and given positive feedback.
- EasyUp Ranges
- Kinetic Cabo Range
- Tomcat Twisters Range
- Billy Footwear Ranges
- Zappos AFO Friendly Range
- Hatchbacks AFO Shoes Range
- Nike Flyease
- Nike Air Max Ranges
- Nike Ranges
- Sketchers Ranges
- Clarks Ranges
- Shoezone Ranges
Footwear adaptions
Your child’s Orthotist may suggest footwear adaptions to the shoes.
These may include:
- Add toe bumpers
- Add welt protectors
- Lengthen straps
- Add hard wearing heel tips or toe tips to the sole