Ace the 2026 Cerebral Palsy PT Exam – Master Impairments, Assessments, & Interventions with Confidence!

Ankle-foot orthoses are used to shape how the ankle and foot move during walking, especially when CP causes spasticity or imbalance that pushes the ankle into excessive plantarflexion (equinus). By holding the ankle in a more neutral or controlled dorsiflexed position, an AFO improves how the tibia progresses over the foot, which in turn helps align the ankle and often improves knee and hip alignment during stance. This improved alignment makes walking more efficient and less energetically costly because the limb moves through a more physiologic arc rather than fighting against uncontrolled plantarflexion. Different designs can either rigidly limit plantarflexion or allow some dorsiflexion during swing to aid foot clearance, but the overarching effect is better ankle control and gait efficiency. They don’t cure CP; they address the gait impairment to enhance function.