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The playground of our dreams? It exists.
We were delighted to attend the grand opening of this incredible, inclusive, beyond accessible project, located in Bremerton, Washington.
To learn more visit:
http:// www.facebook.com/beyondaccessibleplay
Video created by Cascade Dafo, Inc.
http://www.cascadedafo.com
This video follows a young patient as she visits her orthotist to get a pair of lower extremity orthoses. Includes footage and discussion of the entire bracing process: determining which style of brace is best, the casting process, brace fabrication, initial fitting, adjustments, and evaluation of wear. Narrated by the patient's orthotist, Don Buethorn, CPO (owner of Cascade Dafo, Inc. and Cascade Prosthetics & Orthotics).
In this educational video, Cascade Dafo owner/founder Don Buethorn, CPO, talks about assessing range and level of voluntary control in patients who exhibit crouching/excess dorsiflexion. Includes discussion of various Cascade Dafo brace styles.
This instructional narrated video provides guidance for rehearsing the final corrected position you'd like to capture in the cast, prior to starting the casting process for custom-fabricated DAFOs.
This fun video, narrated by a child and featuring kids of various ages and abilities, helps kids know what to expect when visiting the orthotist. It's great for parents and practitioners to show kids ahead of their appointments.
This instructional video provides step-by-step guidance for casting for DAFOs. This video shows how to make a cast in preparation for ordering custom DAFOs. The shape you capture in the cast will be used to fabricate a DAFO -- a good cast is a critical component for superior fit and function of the finished orthosis.
In this instructional video Cindy Diener, CPO, shows how she trims and places the toe rise pad on a DAFO when in the field (when acess to an orthotics lab is not available).
This instructional video is narrated by Cascade Dafo owner/founder Don Buethorn, CPO and provides instruction for placing the toe rise pad on a DAFO. In this video, Don uses an embossing gun to heat and soften the plastic before trimming
This instructional video, narrated by Cindy Diener, CPO, shows step-by-step tips for trimming and placing the toe rise pad on a DAFO, when access to the tools in a typical orthotics lab is available.
This how-to video shows the process of relieving boney prominences by heating and pushing out, a common field adjustment. It also includes a brief tool explanation.
This how-to video narrated by Cindy Diener, CPO shows the process of cutting a DAFO 3 down to a DAFO 4 to test a lower level of support on a patient before ordering new braces.
Cascade Dafo, Inc. owner/founder Don Buethorn, CPO, explains the DAFO Tami2 orthosis. The DAFO Tami2 is a custom-fabricated, articulated AFO with Tamarack hinges (straight or dorsi-assist). This two-part orthosis has a flexible, polyethelene inner liner to comfortably maintain and/or correct foot alignment. The standard trimline of the outer frame has a plantarflexion stop -- used for patients who exhibit stong excess plantarflexion or knee hyperextension. Dorsi-assist hinges are available in 75, 85, or 95 durometer; also available with a straight Tamarack hinge.
The DAFO Tami2 can also be fabricated with a free-ankle trimline, allowing a smooth movement in the sagittal plane. The proximal, outer portion of the DAFO Tami2 with the free ankle trimline provides above-ankle leverage to assist with medial/lateral stability -- appropriate for patients who exhibit high-tone pronation/supination but need minimal ankle control.
Jill Smith, PT, and Cindy Deiner, CPO, team together to determine if their young patient can tolerate a lower level of support in his next pair of DAFOs.
This case study video follows a young patient with a diagnosis of Spina Bifida. Jaxon, age 4, exhibits pronation and excess dorsiflexion. He receives a pair of custom fabricated DAFO FA orthoses. When initially fit with his new DAFOs, it's clear that the dorsiflexion angle of the braces, when worn with shoes, is too aggressive. The braces are remade for an improved outcome. This video is narrated by Cindy Diener, CPO.
This case study follows a young patient diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome, Emri age 3, exhibits excess dorsiflexion/crouching. She receives a pair of custom fabricated DAFO Turbo Softy orthoses. Her physical therapist Kathy Shaprio, PT is interviewed about Emri's progress. The video is narrated by Don Buethorn, CPO.
Mason, a 4-year-old boy with hemplegia, exhibits swing phase inconsistency and excess plantarflexion on his affected side. Follow along with this video comparing his gait in the plantarflexion resist DAFO 3.5 orthosis with his gait in the plantarflexion block hinged DAFO Tami2 orthosis. This video is narrated by the patient's orthotist, Larry Paise, CPO.
This video follows a young patient over time. This patient exhibits swing phase inconsistency and an unstable, ataxic gait. He is casted for a pair of custom fabricated DAFO 3.5 plantarflexion resist braces to help provide him with support and stability. The DAFO 3.5 combines wrap-arond foot control with a leaf-spring style posterior upright that comfortably provides graded resistance to ankle movement. This video is narrated by the patient's orthotist, Larry Paise, CPO.
This case study video shows the same patient, Summer, at age 2 and age 7. Summer has a diagnosis of schizencephaly and exhibits strong excess plantarflexion (toe walking) with high muscle tone. At age 2, she wears a pair of custom fabricated DAFO 3 Softy plantarflexion block orthoses to help control foot position. At age 7, Summer wears a pair of custom fabricated DAFO 2 orthoses -- hinged plantarflexion block style orthoses. This video is narrated by the patient's orthotist: Cindy Diener, CPO.
Mason, a 4-year-old boy with hemplegia, exhibits swing phase inconsistency and excess plantarflexion on his affected side. Follow along with this video comparing his gait in the plantarflexion resist DAFO 3.5 orthosis with his gait in the plantarflexion block hinged DAFO Tami2 orthosis. This video is narrated by the patient's orthotist, Larry Paise, CPO.
This patient is wearing a UCBL-style shoe insert, the Fast Fit Chipmunk, to help control moderate low tone pronation. The Chipmunk is ortho-engineered to control moderate pronation of the pediatric foot with an optimal amount of support and comfort. This low-profile solution features a unique, integrated two-part system, combining internal alignment from molded foam contours with the stability of a flat external base.
This before-and-after patient video shows a young boy who exhibits strong low tone pronation. He shows distinct heel eversion, marked forefoot abduction, and an absent medial arch. The after video shows him in a pair of custom-fabricated DAFO 4 orthoses with noteable improvements in foot position, stability and gait. Because of his fully-correctable alignment, this patient would also be a good candidate for an off-the-shelf solution: the JumpStart Leap Frog.
This before-and-after video shows a young boy who exhibits high tone pronation benefitting from the stability provided by a pair of the custom-fabricated DAFO 4 (supramalleolar orthoses). The DAFO 4 comfortably surrounds the foot, providing the patient with reliably stable support. With the foot comfortably held in a good functional position, the patient gains confidence in the ability to stand and bear weight, encouraging the use and development of walking skills.
This before-and-after video shows a young boy who exhibits high tone pronation benefitting from the stability provided by a pair of custom-fabricated DAFO 4 Softy orthoses. The DAFO 4 Softy comfortably surrounds the foot, providing the patient with reliably stable support. With the foot comfortably held in a good functional position, the patient gains confidence in the ability to stand and bear weight, encouraging the use and development of walking skills.
A young girl wears a custom-fabricated DAFO 3.5 orthoses to help control swing phase inconsistency on her affected side. The DAFO 3.5 combines full wrap-around foot control with a leaf-spring style posterior that provides graded resistance to ankle movement.
A young girl wears a pair of custom-fabricated DAFO 3.5 orthoses to help control swing phase inconsistency. The DAFO 3.5 combines full wrap-around foot control with a leaf-spring style posterior that provides graded resistance to ankle movement.
This adult patient, with a diagnosis of Charcot Marie Tooth, benefits from the stability and support provided by a pair of custom-fabricated DAFO 3.5 orthoses. The DAFO 3.5 combines full wrap-around foot control with a leaf-spring style posterior upright that provides graded resistance to ankle movement. The braces have been optimized to accomodate the patient's uncorrectable foot position and boney prominences.
Follow 6-year-old patient Austin as he receives a pair of custom-fabricated DAFO Tami2 orthoses to encourage voluntary control of his knee hyperextension. Includes footage and discussion of the initial fitting process and standard adjustments to the DAFOs. Narrated by the patient's orthotist, Don Buethorn, CPO -- owner of Cascade Dafo, Inc.
This before-and-after video shows a patient wearing a DAFO 3.5 Softy orthosis on his affected side. The DAFO 3.5 Softy uses a soft foam linter to provide comfortble wrap-around control of a fixed, less correctable foot. This is combined with a leaf-spring style posterior upright, providing graded resistance to ankle movement.
This dramatic before-and-after video shows a patient who exhibits severe pronation and swing phase inconsistency benefit from the assistance of a DAFO. This patient's feet are fully correctable -- she is wearing Cascade Dafo's custom-fabricated DAFO 3.5 braces (plantarflexion-resist AFOs), optimized for control of her pronation and relief of boney prominences.
This before-and-after video shows a patient who exhibits pronation and toe walking benefit from the use of a pair of custom-fabricated DAFO 4 orthoses. The DAFO 4 comfortably surrounds the foot, providing the patient with reliably stable support. With the foot comfortably held in a good functional position, the patient gains confidence in the ability to stand and bear weight, encouraging the use and development of walking skills. The wrap around strap provides a cue to encourage the patient to put his heels down.
This pediatric patient wears DAFO 3.5 orthoses to help control excess plantarflexion (toe walking). The DAFO 3.5 is a custom-fabricated plantarflexion-resist AFO, combining full wrap-around foot control with a leaf-spring style posterior upright that provides graded resistance to ankle movement.
This before-and-after video shows a young patient with a diagnosis of schizencephaly. She exhibits excess plantarflexion (toe walking). Her excess plantarflexion is improved by wearing DAFO 3s, Cascade Dafo's plantarflexion-block custom-fabricated AFOs. The DAFO 3 combines full wrap-around foot control with a solid proximal posterior upright that blocks ankle plantarflexion and allows free dorsiflexion. This brace style is particularly well-suited for smaller patients as it is both light, and simple in form and function.
A young girl wears a hinged DAFO 2 on her left side to help control excess plantarflexion (toe walking). The custom-fabricated DAFO 2 combines full wrap-around foot control with a hinged proximal upgright designed to block plantarflexion.
Sixteen-year-old Shane is wearing a pair of custom-fabricated DAFO 3.5 plantarflexion resist leg braces to help control knee hyperextension and swing phase inconsistency. The DAFO 3.5 is a posterior leaf-spring style orthoses designed to provide graded resistance to ankle movement. Like all Cascade DAFOs, the brace also features comfortable, full wrap-around foot control.
The patient in this before-and-after video exhibits strong knee hyperextension. He benefits from the stability and control provided by a pair of custom-fabricated hinged DAFO 2 orthoses. The DAFO 2 provides comfortable, wrap-around foot control with a hinged proximal upright designed to block ankle plantarflexion.
This before-and-after video shows a young boy with a crouched posture benefit from the stability and support of solid-ankle AFOs. Patient is wearing the DAFO Turbo -- a 2-part custom-fabricated brace consisting of a wrap-around inner liner for foot control, combined with a rigid outer foundation that effectively blocks ankle movement, applying a gentle correction to the patient's excess dorsiflexion.
A young boy with knee hyperextension experiences improvement in stability and gait pattern when introduced to a combined regimen of bracing and physical therapy. This video demonstrates the brace selection process from assessing the patient’s needs, to assessing the outcome.
Allen, a 2 year old boy, exhibits excess plantarflexion and needs a device that will encourage full-contact standing during school-based therapy activities. Allen wears a pair of pre-fabricated JumpStart Kangaroo orthoses to block excess plantarflexion and encourage active dorsiflexion. This video shows the entire bracing process -- from patient assessment to sizing to fitting and adjustments, and finally, evaluation of fit and function. Narrated by Don Buethorn, CPO -- owner of Cascade Dafo, Inc.
A follow-up to the first video of Austin, who wears bilateral DAFO Tami2s with dorsi-assist hinges and a free plantar-flexion trimline to help him control his pronation and knee hyperextension. Begins with a recap of his initial fitting and then shows his growing progress over time with the new braces. Demonstrates the importance of time to habituate to new braces and an integrated approach to the combined efforts of bracing and physical therapy.
This video follows a pediatric physical therapy session with 8-year-old Cassidy, who presents with hemiplegia. Cassidy wears a DAFO Tami2 orthosis on her affected side to encourage voluntary control of her swing phase inconsistency. This video is narrated by the patient's physical therapist, Vicki Schwartz, and shows different PT exercises throughout the session.
The video shows Justin, a 4-year-old boy with Cerebal Palsy (hemiplegia), using a custom-fabricated DAFO 3 on his affected side, to control excessive plantarflexion (toe walking). This video is narrated by the patient's pediatric physical therapist, Kathy Shapiro. It shows Justin with and without the DAFO during his physical therapy session. Includes commentary about various physical therapy activities, including using a treadmill to work with pediatric patients.
Follow the story of recent high school graduate McKenna Dahl, 18, of Arlington, Wash. as she prepares to become a resident athlete at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center, moving one step closer towards her dream of competing for Team USA in Paralympic Shooting.
This patient case study video follows Niles, a 5-year-old boy who exhibits excess plantarflexion on his affected side. Niles diagnosis is cerebral palsy (hemiplegia). Niles' pediatric physical therapist, Vicki Schwartz, narrates this video and discusses some of the exercises she uses during the PT session. Niles wears a hinged custom fabricated DAFO 2 to provide foot and ankle stability.
Follow 10-year-old patient Maya as she gets a new pair of custom-fabricated DAFO 3.5 orthoses to help control swing phase inconsistency (Maya's diagnosis is arthrogryposis). This video shows the entire bracing process -- from the initial assessment to casting to fitting and adjustments. The video is narrated by Don Buethorn, CPO -- owner of Cascade Dafo, Inc.
This video follows 4-year-old Valerie during a pediatric physical therapy session. Valerie has a diagnosis of cerebral palsy (spasic diplegia). She exhibits strong pronation and has spasticity in her lower extremities. Valerie's physical therapist, Kathy Shapiro, narrates this video and talks about the various exercise performed during the session, and their purpose, including use of a treadmill. Valerie wears a pair of custom fabricated DAFO 4 orthoses.
This patient case study video follows 7-year-old Vanessa during a pediatric physical therapy session. Vanessa wears a DAFO 3.5 on her left side and a lower-profile DAFO 4on her right. This video is narrated by Vanessa's physical therapist, Jill Smith. Jill provides commentary about the purpose of the various exercises performed during the session.
This instructional video provides guidance for sending us patient videos to use for consultation to help with brace selection. Includes tips for filming the patient and what type of patient information to send.
This before and after video shows a patient benefiting from the added stability and support provided by a pair of DAFO 5s. The DAFO 5 is custom fabricated from a cast, has defined plantar surface contours, fully integrated padding, and partial heel and midfoot wrap.
This video demonstrates how the leg and ankle move in the DAFO 3 as compared to the DAFO 2. Both braces are designed to block excess plantarflexion which can present as toe walking or knee hyperextension.
We received the following email and video from Tadd, proud dad to twins Derby and Loen:
“My twins were born 16 weeks early, at just 24 weeks and 2 days gestation weighing only 1 pound 6 ounces each. They both were in the NICU for nearly 4 months and came home in February 2008. We were pleased with our NICU outcome, especially considering some of the hurdles that they both overcame. Fast forward for about 1 year – February 2009. The twins adjusted age is now around 1 year. My daughter starts to walk and is pretty much on pace with her adjusted age. My son, on the other hand, is clearly not going to be walking in the near future. We received a cerebral palsy diagnosis for him sometime in the middle of August, 2009 and the doctor prescribed him a DAFO. At this point, I was hoping that he would be walking on his own by Christmas. Then, he received his DAFO on Monday, August 31, 2009 and proceeded to amaze us by taking his first steps only 2 days later. You can only imagine the elation that his mother and I shared that day.
There was no stopping him after that. For the next month or two he didn’t want to play, he only wanted to walk. So, while it is a little bit late, I would like to thank you for helping my son. His mobility really means the world to him and also to us.”
Cascade Dafo attended the NWBA National Women’s Tournament in Seattle. What a treat to watch these super-energized and talented young women tearing up the court!
Meet Maggie and Beau – like many kids and family dogs, they’ve grown up together. But Beau is not the typical family dog and the bond between them goes much deeper, as you’ll hear from Maggie while she prepares for the next chapter in her life.
Decking out custom DAFOs just got a whole lot easier – and much more fun!
The DAFO Creation Station takes the guesswork out of choosing between the various patterns and colors – and its interactive, straightforward design makes it easy to use. Not only will kids have fun designing their new braces, they’ll be excited to show off the final product!
In this before and after video, a young boy wears a hinged DAFO 2 on his left side to help control excess plantarflexion (toe walking). The custom-fabricated DAFO 2 combines full wrap-around foot control with a hinged proximal up-right designed to block plantarflexion.
In this before-and-after video, a young boy with hemiplegia wears a DAFO Tami2 to control toe walking on his affected side. The custom-fabricated DAFO Tami2 is an articulated AFO with Tamarack hinges (straight or dorsi-assist). This two-part orthosis has a flexible, polyethylene liner to comfortably maintain or correct foot alignment. The outer frame has a plantarflexion stop (also available in a free-ankle version).
This before-and-after video shows a young boy with a crouched posture benefit from the stability and support of solid-ankle AFOs. The patient is wearing the DAFO FA -- a custom-fabricated brace with wrap-around control and a high instep trimline that gently blocks excess dorsiflexion. This brace style is particularly well-suited for smaller patients as it is both light, and simple in form and function.
This before-and-after video shows a young boy who exhibits low tone pronation benefiting from the stability provided by a pair of custom-fabricated DAFO 4s. The DAFO 4 comfortably surrounds the foot, providing the patient with reliably stable support. With the foot comfortably held in a good functional position, the patient gains confidence in the ability to stand and bear weight, encouraging the use and development of walking skills.
In this before and after video, a young boy wears hinged DAFO 2s to help control excess plantarflexion (toe walking). The custom-fabricated DAFO 2 combines full wrap-around foot control with a hinged proximal up-right to block plantarflexion.
In this before and after video, a boy wears hinged DAFO 2s to help control excess plantarflexion (toe walking). The custom-fabricated DAFO 2 combines full wrap-around foot control with a hinged proximal up-right to block plantarflexion.
This patient is wearing a pair of DAFO FlexiSport AFOs to control hyperextension. The DAFO FlexiSport has a semi-flexible posterior upright, providing graded resistance to plantarflexion/dorsiflexion.
This before-and-after video shows a young patient with strong knee hyperextension wearing DAFO 3s.
The solid proximal-posterior upright of the DAFO 3s block her excess plantarflexion, preventing her from hyperextending at the knee. Because there is no proximal anterior strap, her leg is free to move into dorsiflexion.
This before-and-after video shows a young girl with a crouched posture wearing DAFO 3.5s.
The semi-rigid posterior strut of the DAFO 3.5s provides resistance to her crouched posture while giving some movement at the ankle.
We’ve been enthusiastically following McKenna Dahl's Paralympic journey for the past few years. She recently returned from a history-making, medal-winning performance in Rio, and is looking ahead to a bright future. Learn more about her Paralympic experiences here.
Our Brace Planning Worksheets are an invaluable tool in clinical planning and brace selection. Use these worksheets in your practice to help you get organized and act as a handy template for your clinical/SOAP notes.
Order form for the DAFO 2. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for the DAFO 2 Softy. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for the DAFO 3. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for the DAFO 3 Softy. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for the DAFO 3.5. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for the DAFO 3.5 Softy. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for the DAFO 4. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for the DAFO 4 Softy. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com.
Order form for the DAFO 5. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for the DAFO 5 Softy. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for the DAFO 8 Softy. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for the DAFO 9 Softy. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for the DAFO FA. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for the DAFO FA Softy. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for the DAFO FlexiSport. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for the DAFO Floor Reaction. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for the DAFO R. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for the DAFO Tami2. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for the DAFO Turbo. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for the DAFO Turbo Softy. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
A Dafo Dynamic article by Susan Witter and Debra Huntsman-Lannom, PT. Debra enlisted a professional surfer to use surfing therapy for children with mobility challenges.
A Dafo Dynamic article by Vicki Schwartz, PT and Loretta Sheldon, COA. A prime example how external circumstances can play a critical role in the brace selection process for multiple presentations.
A Dafo Dynamic article by Raina Emma Angelina Hubbard, written as a 10th grade English class assignment on relating Homer's "Odyssey" to her personal experience living with athetoid cerebral palsy.
Order form for the DAFO TurboH. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for DAFO TurboH Softy. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for DAFO Softback. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com
Order form for DAFO Softback Softy. May be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Must be sent in with the patient's cast or uploaded with your digital scan through the e-order system at https://orders.cascadedafo.com