DAFO Spotlight: Softback
May 03, 2024
The DAFO Softback is a brace style that sits between the DAFO 4 and the DAFO 3 both in height and in control. Its soft, flexible back is made up of a solid pad and strap combo that resists excessive plantarflexion and offers a gentle cue signaling the patient to practice dorsiflexion, and with its full wrap-around shell, the brace offers flexible control of the foot position and alignment, allowing the foot to move and shift as needed through gait while helping it maintain an ideal position of balance. The pad and strap combo are molded to the shape of the calf for a snug and comfortable custom fit.
When compared to our DAFO 4: The Softback’s posterior pad offers more coverage against the calf. This is ideal for larger patients who may experience more pressure from the posterior strap offered on a DAFO 4.
When compared to our DAFO 3: The Softback’s posterior pad offers resistance to plantarflexion instead of blocking it completely. This allows for the patient to be able to experience a bit of plantarflexion while avoiding it in excess.
The DAFO Softback is lined with our ALI padding to ensure comfort to bony prominences, but we also have the Softback Softy available for patients who need that increased level of cushioning and protection.
This is one of our Plantarflexion Block styles, meaning that it encourages the use of dorsiflexion. Because of this intended use, an anterior strap is NOT available as an optimization on the Softback. For more information on our Solid Ankle brace styles that intend to block dorsiflexion, please visit our website at cascadedafo.com and check out our educational resources, or check the DAFO Guide to Brace Selection and take a look at our Excessive Dorsiflexion patient group.
There is also a Jump Start version of the Softback available for patients who benefit from our pre-fabricated line of products.
If you have any questions about our Softback styles or would like recommendations for what would work best for you, feel free to contact us at customersupport@dafo.com or call 800.848.7332, Monday – Friday 7 AM – 2:30 PM PST.