FAQ
Orders can be submitted with a completed order form and either a physical cast mailed to us or a digital scan submitted through our online ordering portal. If physical casts are being sent, please note that we only accept fiberglass casting.
For all of our Fast Fit products, parents or patients can place orders directly by either emailing their order forms to orders@dafo.com or by calling our friendly customer support team at 800-848-7332, Monday to Friday from 7 am to 2:30 pm (PST).
Our current turnaround is listed on our website and updated frequently for an accurate estimation. Email notifications are sent at the time of order confirmation that grant an estimated ship date, and again during shipping confirmation. Brace complexity may affect fabrication time. Further fabrication questions can be directed to CustomerSupport@dafo.com.
Optimizations and design elements such as colors and patterns may be requested on all Custom DAFOs.
Yes! All orders can be expedited by selecting the option to rush it in fabrication for an additional $50 or by requesting an expedited shipping method. Please note, some pre-fabricated orders may not be immediately available to ship if stock is unavailable in our warehouse.
Custom DAFO orders require physical casts to be sent in alongside a completed order form, or can be uploaded along with digital scans via our e-Orders online ordering portal. Fast Fit orders may be placed by filling out the desired order form and emailing it to Orders@dafo.com, or by calling our Customer Support team at 800-848-7332, Monday to Friday from 7 am to 2:30 pm (PST) and placing an order over the phone.
Model selection is based on many things, such as presentation, alignment needs, and tone, as well as therapy goals and diagnosis. Our customer support team is here to be a part of your clinical team when planning for patient care, and we are more than happy to help with brainstorming and answering any questions you may have!
Presentation and functional needs will be the best guide. Diagnosis can play a key part in the design process, but should not be relied on alone, as every patient presents differently, and every care team has different goals!
If your order requires optimization changes, alignment updates, or a completely new style, our 90-day warranty has you covered! Please feel free to contact us at 800-848-7332, or email us at CustomerSupport@dafo.com to discuss what changes are needed. If the order is outside of our warranty, we do offer adjustments as well! Please contact us for information about refurbishments and/or component orders at any point during the lifetime of the brace.
Most DAFOs are designed to fit inside supportive footwear, though shoe selection may require guidance.
Control levels vary based on design, trimlines, materials, and strapping. If you have questions or would like recommendations for your specific patient, please feel free to give us a call at 800-848-7332, or reach out via email at CustomerSupport@dafo.com .
Our 90-day full warranty covers anything from style changes, to alignment updates, and even change in transfer pattern! If you would like to know if your brace is covered under our 90-day warranty, feel free to contact us at 800-848-7332 Mon-Fri 7 am to 2:30 pm PST.
Undue wear and tear, intentional damage, and misuse are typically not covered. Fast Fit items worn without shoes will void the warranty.
Our 90-day warranty starts 14 days after your order has shipped and has you covered for all manner of unforeseen changes and events! To verify if your order is eligible under warranty and discuss options, please call us at 800-848-7332 or email us at CustomerSupport@dafo.com .
Clinicians can access Instructions for Use (IFUs) online or request in-service materials by reaching out to our customer support team at CustomerSupport@dafo.com .
Our Customer Support Team can be reached at 800-848-7332, Monday through Friday between 7 am and 2:30 pm PST or via email at CustomerSupport@dafo.com .
We at Cascade Dafo understand that growth spurts are bound to happen at any point during a child's development. Our 90-day warranty covers the inevitability of an unforeseen growth spurt.
Your DAFO should fit snugly but should not be creating persistent irritation, excessive pressure, or hot spots. Any red spots should fade after 20-30 minutes of being out of the DAFO.
We suggest beginning with one to two hours per day and gradually increasing wear time over several days. Be sure to keep an eye on the skin to monitor its condition for hot spots. It's natural for red marks to appear due to wear, but these red spots should fade within 20-30 minutes of being out of the brace. If you notice any red spots that do not fade within 20-30 minutes outside of the brace, contact your ordering clinician for possible fit adjustments.
Mild redness may occur but should fade within 20 to 30 minutes once out of the device. Any red or irritated areas lasting more than 30 minutes should be evaluated by your clinician.
Every patient is unique, and so every routine and goal plan differs from patient to patient. Wear time depends on the prescribed treatment plan, as well as patient tolerance.
DAFOs and Fast Fit JumpStart devices may safely be worn during pool time, beach time, at splash parks, etc. They should be cleaned and air-dried per our Brace Care Guidelines before being worn again. Foam shoe inserts should not be submerged under any circumstances.
Growth spurts, wear patterns, and activity levels all play a part in product life. For pediatric patients, a DAFO usually lasts around one year before needing to be recast due to growth. Older patients may be able to wear a set of DAFOs for several years. Refurbishments, such as strap replacements, padding replacements, and even some adjustments, are offered for the life of the brace to help extend its usability. For questions about refurbishments, please contact our friendly customer support team at 800-848-7332 Monday through Friday, 7 am to 2:30 pm PST.
If the brace is causing discomfort or persistent redness, please contact your clinician for an evaluation to assess fit, alignment, and the possible need for an adjustment.
Absolutely! Minor adjustments can be done in-house by the ordering practitioner and do not void our 90-day warranty. If larger changes are needed, such as alignment, height issues, etc., please contact us at 800-848-7332. Our customer support team is happy to discuss whether something is an adjustment we can make ourselves or if a remake is needed.
DAFO stands for Dynamic Ankle Foot Orthosis. This reflects our design philosophy of supporting proper alignment as a foundation for experiencing and practicing controlled motion.
DAFOs provide intimate foot control with the use of thin, flexible materials, which allows for a focus on dynamic alignment rather than rigid immobilization. Contoured plantar surfaces provide important sensory feedback, allowing the wearer to experience all the benefits of proper alignment and support, and the freedom to exercise the use of voluntary control and motion.
While DAFOs are most commonly prescribed for pediatric patients with neuromuscular or orthopedic presentations affecting foot and ankle stability, they are also suitable for teens and adults with similar presentations!
Yes! Each DAFO is fabricated using provided fiberglass casts or digital scans submitted to us. Every step of the process is unique, from digital modification to manual fabrication.
DAFOs are typically made from lightweight thermoplastic materials selected for durability, flexibility, and comfort. DAFO model types, brace heights, and patient needs are all determining factors in material selection, and requested adjustments can be made in most cases.
Not at all! While DAFOs are widely used in pediatric care, we make custom bracing for all ages and sizes.
Wear schedules vary and are determined by patient needs and care team goals. We do recommend a 2-3 week adjustment period, which includes gradually extending wear times while monitoring for comfort, fit, and any needed adjustments.
Yes. Training programs and structured education are available through the DAFO Institute.
In-services can be arranged to support clinical teams in evaluation and casting techniques.
Casting guidance and resources are available through training materials and support resources.
Educational programs may include structured courses and professional development opportunities.
Yes. International shipping options are available depending on destination.
Customs and duties are considered the customer's responsibility. This allows us to ensure standardized pricing and product expectations for all of our customers, regardless of where they are ordering from.
Customs and duties are managed according to destination country requirements.
Shipping timelines vary based on destination and customs processing.
Instructions for Use are available online for each product model.
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Model comparisons and detailed descriptions are available in the Product Hub.