Natural Foot Orthosis
Another view of the NFO
More than 300 NFO braces have been manufactured to date
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The Natural Foot Orthosis
The NFO is a dynamic brace allowing normal ankle and knee articulation while preventing dropfoot. Early on, we began providing the NFO to patients who had worn traditional leg braces and quickly noted an overwhelming acceptance and favorable response. Comments included: "It's lighter, easier to walk with and takes up less space in my shoe", "I can walk step over step", and "It's lighter and does a better job of clearing my toe".
The Rothschild's staff attributes the positive reaction to the brace's unique patented configuration. Having the plastic strut originate and exit the shoe in the arch area eliminates the heel cup present in most leg braces and thus takes up less space in shoes. The ability to control the strategic placement and thickness of the strut allows us to control dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the ankle/foot without the use of metal joints. The flexibility of the brace allows normal heel strike, foot flat, and toe off - and therefore a more natural gait pattern. The choice of co-polymer plastic assures long service without cracking, and excellent memory capability.
The brace can also be designed to provide ankle support. Placing the strut medially or laterally will stabilize an unsteady ankle that "wants to roll outward or fall inward" (equinovarus/valgus).
In summary, to date we have fabricated in excess of 300 NFO braces. The brace has proven to be dynamic, controlling of foot drop while allowing articulation, light weight, durable, cosmetically superior and incurs less shoe fitting problems.
Research and Development
Rothschild's Orthopedics has been incorporating the NFO into their KAFOs (Long Leg Brace) with promising results. We are also developing a total plastic knee joint to provide a lighter, more cosmetic, user friendly KAFO.
Stay Tuned!
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