The Becker Method TA AFO is a prefabricated, total carbon composite ankle-foot orthosis developed to treat a broad range of pathologic gait abnormalities secondary to stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, and other neuromotor disorders. Method TA was designed to take full advantage of the Becker Triple Action Multi-Function ankle joint, which has been shown in peer-reviewed research to systematically influence gait through all phases of the gait cycle. The orthosis can be optimized using the Systematic Tuning Procedure for Triple Action, an evidence-guided clinical procedure that facilitates standardization in orthotic clinical practice and care delivery.
The orthotic design of the Method TA AFO includes several features to improve patient comfort and the biomechanical influence of the orthosis. These include postural control features in the pretibial shell to support weak plantarflexors and a lateral supramalleolar extension to manage the equinus foot and ankle posture that often accompanies chronic stroke. The pretibial and ankle pads are repositionable and sanitizable to improve comfort as well. The flat footplate includes features to improve rollover in late stance, including a forefoot rocker and targeted flexibility distal to the metatarsal heads. The footplate was designed for appropriate stiffness and durability to ensure that the Triple Action component adjustments systematically influence gait biomechanics, while the durability of the footplate was designed for long service life. A custom insole can be added to the footplate to improve patient comfort and accommodate any postural abnormalities of the mid and forefoot.
The principal application of the Method TA AFO is stroke, though the orthosis is well suited to managing many neuromotor deficits seen in a broad range of pathologies. As an intervention in stroke treatment, the orthosis can be delivered quickly to the patient and adjusted to provide the support required during the early stages of stroke recovery. As the patient progresses through their rehabilitation, the Method TA AFO can be precisely re-adjusted to incrementally reduce or target specific motor deficits through the various phases of recovery.
As an orthotic treatment for relapsing, remitting, or primary progressive multiple sclerosis, the Method TA AFO can often be used to improve toe clearance in the swing phase of gait where there is accompanying dorsiflexor insufficiency and to slow knee hyperextension in the treatment of mild knee flexor insufficiency. The Triple Action component permits the precise adjustment of ankle support through all phases of the gait cycle, for example, to provide support in resisting knee hyperextension through the resistance to plantarflexion while being adjustable to reduce dorsiflexion resistance to avoid knee hyperextension after midstance.
Features and Benefits
- Easy-don, sanitizable tibial strap with thumb loop and static chafe for one-handed donning
- Soil-resistant adjustable/repositionable liners for comfortable all-day use
- Heavy Duty Stirrup for improved stiffness and reliability
- Adjustable heel block for enhanced comfort
- Advanced prepreg carbon composite designed to take full advantage of the Triple Action® multi-function ankle joint
- Rigid anterior shell with lateral component and supramalleolar extension to resist foot and ankle postural abnormalities
- Premium Triple Action® multi-function ankle component with independent alignment, resistance threshold adjustment, and adjustable spring stiffness
- Prepreg flat footplate fits the patient’s preferred shoe and provides rollover and energy return for more efficient gait
Learn more about the Becker Method TA AFO.
