GETTING YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

We are here to help you better understand how the Richie Brace works and which conditions are best suited for AFO therapy.  Our team is here to help ensure that you are aware of your bracing options no matter your unique foot/ankle condition.

Click on any of the toggles below to see our our most commonly asked questions.

For Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (Adult Acquired Flatfoot) studies have shown that at least 50% of patients can avoid surgery by wearing a custom AFO device such as the Richie Brace® Accordion Sample Description.

Most Richie Brace® prescriptions are for one foot only although some conditions require bilateral ( both feet) braces. When only one foot is wearing the brace, the other foot should be supported with either a foot orthotic or a heel lift of similar height as the Richie Brace®.

Studies have shown that bracing can be very effective in preventing ankle sprains, especially in sports such as basketball, football and soccer.

Studies have shown that ankle bracing has minimal, if any negative effects on athletic performance. Also, contrary to popular belief, ankle bracing does not cause weakness of the muscles around the ankle. Instead, muscle strength actually increases with ankle bracing.

Many patients have been able to run and play sports with the Richie Brace®. Of course, this will depend on your particular medical condition.

The Richie Brace® is probably the most comfortable custom ankle-foot orthosis on the market today. Occasionally, patients will develop a “hot spot” or skin irritation which can be quickly remedied with an adjustment in the practitioner’s office.

It takes approximately three weeks from the time of casting of the patient for the finished custom Richie Brace® to be returned to the practitioner, when it can be fitted and dispensed to the patient.

For some conditions such as Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction, the average length of brace use is approximately one year. For other conditions such as dropfoot, the brace will be worn for a lifetime. Other conditions such as tendonitis or arthritis will vary in the length of time of brace use from a few months to several years.

No, the unique advantage of the Richie Brace® compared to other custom AFO devices is the fact that this brace does not require an increase in shoe size. This holds true for any shoe which has a removable liner. By removing the liner, there is plenty of room to insert the Richie Brace® without compromising fit.

No, the unique strap closure system of the Richie Brace® products allows simple application compared to other AFO devices. Basically, a single back strap must be opened and closed when fitting the Richie Brace®. For people who have difficulty feeding the back strap thru the slot in the limb upright, a modification is available which provides a long strap which is wrapped around the lower leg.

Any modification, refurbishment or replacement of worn parts of the Richie Brace® must be provided by a qualified practitioner. You should contact the practitioner who provided the original Richie Brace®. If you cannot locate that practitioner, we can provide you with a referral to a practitioner who has experience with the Richie Brace®. Please email info@richiebrace.com and provide your e-mail address, city where you reside and your zip code. You will hear back from one of our distributors with a suggested referral.

Take the brace back to the doctor or clinic who originally provided your Richie Brace®. They should be able to replace the pads and straps in-house using the special Richie Brace® refurbishment kit.

GETTING YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

We are here to help you better understand how the Richie Brace works and which conditions are best suited for AFO therapy.  Our team is here to help ensure that you are aware of your bracing options no matter your unique foot/ankle condition.

Click on any of the toggles below to see our our most commonly asked questions.

For Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (Adult Acquired Flatfoot) studies have shown that at least 50% of patients can avoid surgery by wearing a custom AFO device such as the Richie Brace® Accordion Sample Description.

Most Richie Brace® prescriptions are for one foot only although some conditions require bilateral ( both feet) braces. When only one foot is wearing the brace, the other foot should be supported with either a foot orthotic or a heel lift of similar height as the Richie Brace®.

Studies have shown that bracing can be very effective in preventing ankle sprains, especially in sports such as basketball, football and soccer.

Studies have shown that ankle bracing has minimal, if any negative effects on athletic performance. Also, contrary to popular belief, ankle bracing does not cause weakness of the muscles around the ankle. Instead, muscle strength actually increases with ankle bracing.

Many patients have been able to run and play sports with the Richie Brace®. Of course, this will depend on your particular medical condition.

The Richie Brace® is probably the most comfortable custom ankle-foot orthosis on the market today. Occasionally, patients will develop a “hot spot” or skin irritation which can be quickly remedied with an adjustment in the practitioner’s office.

It takes approximately three weeks from the time of casting of the patient for the finished custom Richie Brace® to be returned to the practitioner, when it can be fitted and dispensed to the patient.

For some conditions such as Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction, the average length of brace use is approximately one year. For other conditions such as dropfoot, the brace will be worn for a lifetime. Other conditions such as tendonitis or arthritis will vary in the length of time of brace use from a few months to several years.

No, the unique advantage of the Richie Brace® compared to other custom AFO devices is the fact that this brace does not require an increase in shoe size. This holds true for any shoe which has a removable liner. By removing the liner, there is plenty of room to insert the Richie Brace® without compromising fit.

No, the unique strap closure system of the Richie Brace® products allows simple application compared to other AFO devices. Basically, a single back strap must be opened and closed when fitting the Richie Brace®. For people who have difficulty feeding the back strap thru the slot in the limb upright, a modification is available which provides a long strap which is wrapped around the lower leg.

Any modification, refurbishment or replacement of worn parts of the Richie Brace® must be provided by a qualified practitioner. You should contact the practitioner who provided the original Richie Brace®.

Take the brace back to the doctor or clinic who originally provided your Richie Brace®. They should be able to replace the pads and straps in-house using the special Richie Brace® refurbishment kit.