In this article, we'll explore the benefits of choosing a genuine PRAFO AFO for your foot and ankle support needs, and why it's the best choice for those seeking the highest level of effectiveness.

Orthotists often confront situations that require quick and confident action and an off-the-shelf solution to common heel, foot and ankle issues. It might be for heel pressure ulcer prevention or treatment with a vulnerable patient - perhaps following a hip fracture, with diabetic foot disease or post-stroke.

With so many different product options on the market, it can be overwhelming trying to determine which one is best for you. However, if you're looking for a high-quality ankle foot orthosis (AFO) that instantly provides the ultimate heel and foot protection and support whether the patient is ambulant or recumbent, you can't go wrong with a genuine PRAFO ankle foot orthosis (AFO). But what do we mean by a genuine PRAFO? Well, there is only one source of these.

PRAFO AFOs have been designed by experienced orthotists since 1990 to fit the clinical and biomechanical requirements of practising orthotists; providing unmatched protection and stability to the foot and ankle complex. PRAFO AFOs are a reliable option giving many of the benefits of a custom solution with off-the-shelf products.

Welcome to the first of a series of articles that will tackle the topic of improving life expectancy after a spinal cord injury. The goal of these articles is to provide valuable information on how to not just live longer, but healthier. We all want to age "gracefully", and that's why we need to start thinking about healthspan rather than just lifespan. Research suggests that the life expectancy of persons following a traumatic spinal cord injury has been improving since the 1950's but remains shorter compared with the general population. We will discuss why the length of life is not the only thing that counts.

In this first article, we will discuss the importance of healthspan and what we can do to achieve it. Living longer is great, but what's even better is having the physical ability to perform daily activities and participate fully in the life we want. Subsequent articles will delve into how spinal cord injuries affect lifespan and provide insights on creating a plan to live healthier.

So, let's take charge of our health and work towards enjoying a fulfilling life. Let's start by looking at the population at large and introduce the concepts of lifespan and "healthspan" and see why we don't want to have a long life unless it is also a healthy life.

When it comes to treating (or ideally) protecting against heel pressure ulcers, choosing the right product is essential. Every day, thousands of patients around the world are put at risk when using inadequate wound care products that fail to prevent and reduce their chances of developing skin breakdown due to prolonged tissue compression.

This is why investing in a well-researched heel protector that offers consistent protection is critical for orthotists, physiotherapists, doctors and patients alike. The PRAFO ankle foot orthosis range of heel protectors stands out as the top option on the market thanks to their impressive and often unique design features – this blog post will explore how they work and how these designs can support clinicians in preventing further tissue damage and keeping patients ambulant.

A spinal cord injury is a life-altering event that can happen to anyone, anywhere, and at any time. It can occur due to a wide variety of reasons, such as accidents, falls, sports injuries, or medical conditions.

The severity of a spinal cord injury varies greatly and each person, even with what can seem to be similar injuries, can have different symptoms and functional outcomes. As part of the clinical approach to understanding and managing such injuries, a system of classification has been developed.

When people are injured, they are often told that they have damage to specific bony vertebrae and the cord itself at a given level, along with a further qualifier suggesting the severity of the injury, typically as a ‘complete’ or ‘incomplete’ injury. But what do these terms mean, and what is their significance?

So, let's dive in and discover what you need to know about complete vs. incomplete spinal cord injury and its effects on the nervous system.

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a common motor disorder in Parkinson’s disease (PD). It is characterised by sudden, unanticipated interruptions in gait, lasting from seconds to minutes, in which people feel that their feet are stuck to the floor and unable to move forward despite trying hard.

FOG episodes can occur in other neurological diseases too. The phenomenon is particularly debilitating and often requires physical support from another person to get unstuck and start walking again. Treatment strategies developed for managing gait disorders and freezing include medications, deep brain stimulation (DBS), physical therapy interventions and external visual cues.

Anatomical Concepts offer a neat product called NexStride that uses cueing technology to help overcome the freezing of gait.

Standing is an essential human function that allows us to explore and interact with our environment. It is also good for our health. However, for individuals with mobility impairments, or lower limb paralysis, standing regularly and safely can be a challenge. Fortunately, with advances in assistive technology, standing is now possible for many people, even those who cannot stand on their own. Many products - both simple and complex exist to help people stand despite their disability. Many times, people find it hard to embrace a standing regime, due to boredom. What if technology existed that allowed standing to be combined with moving around?

One such technology solution is the Tek RMD; a robotic mobilisation device designed to help individuals with mobility impairments stand and move around with ease in their environments. In this article, we will explore the importance of standing and how the Tek RMD allows individuals to achieve this, both indoors and outdoors.