A 34-year-old man has a complete common peroneal nerve palsy after a fracture of the fibular neck, producing a flaccid foot drop with no spasticity and full passive range of ankle motion. Which orthosis is most appropriate for him?
- A Rigid plastic ankle-foot orthosis with fixed 90 degree ankle
- B Posterior leaf spring ankle-foot orthosis ✓
- C Ground reaction ankle-foot orthosis
- D Knee-ankle-foot orthosis with locked knee joints
Correct answer: B. Posterior leaf spring ankle-foot orthosis
Explanation
A posterior leaf spring AFO is a narrow, flexible polypropylene shell behind the calf that dorsiflexes the foot in swing and permits controlled plantarflexion at heel strike and push-off. It suits a flaccid drop foot with good passive range and no spasticity. A rigid AFO blocks normal ankle motion and is reserved for spastic or unstable ankles, a ground reaction AFO controls crouch knee in cerebral palsy, and a KAFO is unnecessary when the knee is normal.
Reference: Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics, 14th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.