- Joined
- Jul 29, 2017
- Messages
- 3,933
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 07/2017
- Country
- US
- State
- OR
- City
- Southern Oregon
This is more of a heads up than a question.
I have bilateral AFOs which are Allard toe-off 2.0. They appear to be made of either fiberglass or carbon fiber with the vertical piece welded to the foot plate. I’ve been using them 10-11 months now with great success.
I recently noticed that the weld seemed to be breaking down, causing separation and cracking where the vertical piece joins the foot plate. I went to the orthotic-prosthetics place today and discovered this problem was affecting both AFOs.
Fortunately they’re under warranty because I’ve had them less than a year. The prosthetics guy told me it’s actually a fairly common problem. I was not aware of that.
They ordered me a new set and gave me a loaner pair until the new set is ready. When I put on the loaners (which are essentially new), I was amazed at how springy they felt and how it changed the dynamics of my gait.
I’m thinking my old ones were breaking down for some time and I just got used to and accepted how the gait felt. But likely they weren’t fully doing what they were supposed to.
So my point is that if you wear AFOs to check them often for signs of metal fatigue or any kind of breakdown, and to replace them before it gets too far. They may be under warranty.
I have bilateral AFOs which are Allard toe-off 2.0. They appear to be made of either fiberglass or carbon fiber with the vertical piece welded to the foot plate. I’ve been using them 10-11 months now with great success.
I recently noticed that the weld seemed to be breaking down, causing separation and cracking where the vertical piece joins the foot plate. I went to the orthotic-prosthetics place today and discovered this problem was affecting both AFOs.
Fortunately they’re under warranty because I’ve had them less than a year. The prosthetics guy told me it’s actually a fairly common problem. I was not aware of that.
They ordered me a new set and gave me a loaner pair until the new set is ready. When I put on the loaners (which are essentially new), I was amazed at how springy they felt and how it changed the dynamics of my gait.
I’m thinking my old ones were breaking down for some time and I just got used to and accepted how the gait felt. But likely they weren’t fully doing what they were supposed to.
So my point is that if you wear AFOs to check them often for signs of metal fatigue or any kind of breakdown, and to replace them before it gets too far. They may be under warranty.