rk52
Junior Member
Posts: 79
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Post by rk52 on Apr 5, 2021 11:10:15 GMT
There's a KAFO the like of which I've never seen before, newly listed on eBay. It's leather and metal with only two cuffs and no knee pad. What's unusual is the lower cuff is moulded to fit the wearer's calf over most of the muscle's length from just below the knee to just above the ankle. It is fastened by lacing over its entire length, whereas the thigh cuff uses conventional velcro closures. It looks in good condition but I think the seller's pricing is a bit optimistic!
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Post by castmenow on Apr 5, 2021 12:51:56 GMT
Nice one, unusual as you say. Do not need any more braces at the moment though.
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Post by deejay on Apr 5, 2021 23:22:08 GMT
Always interesting to see something a little different. This one looks like it could be quite comfortable. It must hold the lower leg quite firmly. It must feel a little strange as there would not be much room for the calf muscle to expand, although the muscle probably would not have to do much work anyway. it looks quite 'industrial' metalwork, especially with hammerite paint. I wonder what was the thinking behind its design? It would be quite tempting to have a second kafo and I rather like the look of the long calf cuff but unfortunately mine is a left one already. Also the one advertised is a bit too small for me.
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rk52
Junior Member
Posts: 79
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Post by rk52 on Apr 6, 2021 8:19:00 GMT
Too small for me too, I have quite long legs. I was thinking the design might be a sort of "halfway house" between the traditional metal and leather and the moulded thermoplastic? As for the muscle space, in most cases if you need a leg brace you won't have a lot of muscle anyway?
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Post by castmenow on Apr 6, 2021 8:42:37 GMT
The calf shell is only riveted to the steel frame at the rear band so that when you flex your ankle the bottom of your calf can move backwards and forwards a bit, but there would be a lot of restriction from the calf cuff so it would tend to hold your ankle in the mid position. I wonder if this is for someone with an unstable ankle joint because it would be more supportive than the normal layout. The muscle shape of the calf shell is well defined so it does not fit with use for paralysis. Another reason for the calf shell could be someone with skin breakdown problems or hypersensitivity, a thin calf strap might not be tolerated on both these accounts.
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Post by deejay on Apr 6, 2021 17:17:55 GMT
Yes, point taken about the muscle not needing to do much. I like the look of the wide and accurately shaped calf shell. I do find that the calf band on mine tends to leave a mark across the back of my leg and this one would fairly certainly solve that. I am surprised that the top band is not a bit wider. It would probably make quite a nice combination if they were both extra wide.. I would imagine that there would not be much need for a knee pad.
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rk52
Junior Member
Posts: 79
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Post by rk52 on Apr 7, 2021 9:38:04 GMT
The same seller also has a more conventional KAFO with a knee pad and a simple calf cuff. It has similar dimensions but is much more worn. He also has a rather elaborate AFO with a long calf cuff and a stap to prevent foot-drop so it may well be that the wearer had an ankle problem.
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