DAFO 3 Softy

PF block, DF free, Softy liner

DAFO 3 Softy Order Form
DAFO 3 Softy

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Browse the DAFO 3 Softy in the Cascade Library

Key Features

Custom-fabricated from cast or scan -- no plaster casts
Softy Liner
made of foam provides more comfortable control of feet that are difficult to align or have sensitive boney prominences
Proximal posterior
blocks plantarflexion, allows free dorsiflexion, and provides additional medial/lateral stability
Full wrap-around shell
for flexible control of foot position and alignment
Defined plantar surface contours
Other liner materials are available
including Polyethylene, Co-poly, and OP Flex

Indications

  • For patients who are younger/smaller (generally under age 9).
  • For patients who have excess plantarflexion, very little voluntary control of the ankle, and exhibit consistent toe walking.
  • For patients who have excessive pronation or supination.
  • For patients who require a proximal upright in order to control consistent hyperextension of the knee.
  • For patients who have difficult-to-correct feet and/or sensitive boney prominences.
  • For patients who would benefit from a two-step donning routine: liner is used to control foot position before easing into outer frame.

This lighter weight brace should NOT be used to control excess dorsiflexion in a crouching patient.

Product video | DAFO 3

This product video looks at the function and features of the custom fabricated DAFO® 3.

Product video | DAFO 3

Before & After: Excessive Plantarflexion - Toe Walking | DAFO 3

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.

Before & After: Excessive Plantarflexion - Toe Walking | DAFO 3

Justin: Excessive Plantarflexion

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.

Justin: Excessive Plantarflexion

Case study | Excess plantarflexion: a view of the same patient at age 2 and age 7

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.

Case study | Excess plantarflexion: a view of the same patient at age 2 and age 7

Brace movement | DAFO 3

This video demonstrates how the leg and ankle move in the DAFO 3.

Brace movement | DAFO 3

Brace movement | DAFO 3 and DAFO 2 side-by-side comparison

This side-by-side comparison shows 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.

Brace movement | DAFO 3 and DAFO 2 side-by-side comparison

Education & Resources

Learn more about pediatric bracing.