Hi all,

Has anyone used DAFO splints for their child's feet? What has been your experience? Did it help in getting them up and walking? In walking without a noticeable limp? How long did your child have to wear them? Any other information you could share about your experience would be welcome. Thanks in advance!

proud Mom to GBG triplets born on 1/14/07 @ 30 wks 1 day

Zoe (3lbs)
Nicholas (3lbs 1 oz)
Madeleine (2 lbs 10 oz)

Hi not sure if the same but my dd has an AFO brace it does work and has help improve her limp quite a bit..you see the difference when she's not wearing it. They have them in many colors so we try to get the girliest thing available and she likes it..it is hard to get her measure and she cant wait to remove it as soon as we are home but every little bit helps! anyways she's on her third one now and I do think is worth it. She also gets the special sneakers they make for them (pricey) but you can't tell the difference between hers and the regulars. hth
Ivy
http://dn.daisypath.com/5b6Im

I think it is an AFO (Ankle Foot Orthotic) or BAFO (Bilateral Ankle Foot Orthotic). What are they using them for on your child? My daughter was born with bilateral club feet and was given AFO's even when she was still 3lb. and in the NICU. She had AFO's for the first 8 years of her life and they did assist her with walking. My daughter's situation is a little different and her club feet couldn't be surgically fixed even with many attempts and she had a bilateral amputation in Aug. 2007 and has been running ever since.

Laurel - mother to Jimmy 11,
Danielle (B-Symes amputee),Nicole (ADHD), and Shannon (Dyslexic) born 31 weeks and now 9 years old

The brand we were given by our PT is called "DAFO" (Dynamic Ankle Foot Orthotic), and they are supposed to be helping correct for eventual misalignment of our feet (and problems walking) due to high tone.

My older DD wore them for about 8 -9 months- her ortho wanted her to wear them longer, her geneticist said she didn't need them and I could see the difference so I had her stop- with no ill effects. She then wore pattibob inserts (also made by Cascade) and still wears those at 3 1/2. She will always have an insert in her shoes- she needs the support.

She has a connective tissue disorder so her ankles joints were lax and she stood and walked on the sides of her feet when she began pulling up at about 10 months. She wore them until she was about 18 months old and was walking normally. I think they made all the difference.

She had to ease into wearing them- an hour or so a day until she wore them almost all day. I found the Stride Rite XXW velcro sneakers with the insert taken out would fit over the brace. She wore leggings over them since she got them in the fall so they weren't really noticeable.

One thing I wish I had known- we went to an orthodic place that the hospital sent us to and paid $250 not covered by insurance for them. When she started PT, the physical therapist said she could order them from Cascade for 1/4 of that price. Ever since, we have ordered her supports from Cascade.com. or through the PT- and they are the exact same thing (the PT does the fittings for us).

Good luck, I hope they help your little ones too,

Trudy
BGB 2/22/07