Foot Clinic · Custom AFO
Custom ankle-foot orthoses for drop foot and ankle instability
We prescribe the Richie Brace®, a lightweight custom ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) for drop foot, post-stroke gait and chronic ankle and tendon conditions. It fits inside your regular shoes.
What is an AFO?
Support that extends from the foot to the ankle
An ankle-foot orthosis is a brace that supports the foot and ankle together. Traditional AFOs are often bulky, rigid and difficult to fit in everyday shoes.
The Richie Brace® was introduced in 1996 by sports podiatrist Dr. Doug Richie as a lower-profile alternative. It pairs a custom foot orthotic with hinged lower-leg supports, giving control where it is needed while leaving the ankle free to move as you walk.
An AFO may be prescribed when weakness, nerve injury or tendon dysfunction affects how the foot clears the ground or how stable the ankle is, and a foot orthotic alone is not enough.
The Richie Brace® line
Two designs, matched to your condition
For drop foot and post-stroke gait
Richie Brace® Dynamic Assist
Flexural ankle joints provide a dynamic dorsiflexion assist of up to 15°, helping lift the front of the foot as you step through, which reduces toe catching and tripping.
- Dropfoot
- Peroneal nerve injury
- Post-CVA (stroke)
For hindfoot and ankle stability
Richie Brace® Standard
A hinged, semi-rigid design with anatomic ankle axis placement that controls rolling in and out of the foot and ankle while allowing unrestricted forward and backward ankle motion.
- PTTD (mild to moderate)
- Lateral ankle instability
- Peroneal tendinopathy
- Cavo-varus deformity
Built on a custom orthotic
Each brace starts with a custom balanced foot orthotic made from a model of your foot, so support begins at the foot itself.
Low profile
The lightweight shell and short heel cup sit inside a regular lace-up shoe, rather than requiring oversized footwear.
Natural ankle motion
An anatomically placed hinge allows the ankle to move forward and back as you walk, while side-to-side motion is controlled.
Conditions a custom AFO is prescribed for
The process
From assessment to fitting
Assessment
A Registered Chiropodist reviews your history, strength, range of motion and gait, and confirms whether a custom AFO is appropriate.
Casting
A model of your foot and ankle is taken, and the brace model is selected and prescribed to suit your condition.
Fabrication
The brace is fabricated by the Richie Brace® laboratory to your prescription.
Fitting and review
Your chiropodist fits the brace in your footwear, explains the break-in period and reviews how it is working at a follow-up visit.
The chiropodist assessment is billed separately. The AFO fee covers the casting, fabrication, fitting and one follow-up review. Custom AFOs are often covered by extended health plans; ask your insurer about bracing coverage.
Who prescribes your AFO
Custom AFOs at Tread Well are assessed, prescribed and fitted by our Registered Chiropodists.
Covered by most extended health plans. Direct billing is available to many major insurers.Billing details
Book a custom AFO assessment
Most new patients prefer to call. Reception can advise which practitioner is best suited to your concern and arrange a suitable time. Online booking is also available if you would prefer to book directly.
3305 Harvester Road, Burlington, Ontario L7N 3N2