Improving Stability and Walking Confidence After Stroke: A Custom Orthotic Case Study

Recently, we fitted a new custom orthotic brace for a patient recovering from a stroke. He had been living with foot drop and knee hyperextension, two common post‑stroke gait challenges that can make walking slow, unstable and physically demanding.

For several years he had been using a KAFO, but the device had become increasingly problematic. It was heavy, cumbersome and didn’t control his knee alignment as effectively as the patient desired. He continued to experience genu valgum (knee drifting inward) and genu recurvatum (knee hyperextension) and the brace frequently dug into his leg, causing discomfort and limiting how far he could walk.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/593ead_8ecf2e0f371e49a6968fa4af4099a311/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

First video showing patient with his previous KAFO which was heavy. Second video showing the new KAFO which is much lighter and reduces knee valgus more effectively

A Fresh Assessment and a Better Solution

During his appointment, Tom carried out a full gait assessment to understand exactly how the stroke was affecting his movement. We looked closely at foot clearance, knee stability, alignment and overall walking pattern.

It was clear the patient needed a brace that was:

• Lighter

• More comfortable

• More effective at controlling knee alignment

• Supportive enough to manage foot drop without restricting mobility

he first image is the patients previous KAFO which was digging into his calf. The second image shows how the extra strap behind the knee helps reduce pressure on the calf strap as well as reduce knee hyperextension

A Custom‑Made Brace Designed for His Needs

Tom prescribed and fitted a new custom orthotic that provides targeted control of both foot drop and knee alignment- without the bulk and weight of his previous KAFO.

The new brace offers:

• Much lighter weight, making walking less tiring

• Improved knee alignment, reducing both genu valgum and genu recurvatum

• Better comfort, with no digging into the leg

• More efficient gait, thanks to controlled foot clearance and improved stability

In the first image you can see the patients previous KAFO. The second image shows the new KAFO which controls his knee valgus more effectively and does not dig into his thigh like his old one.

The Difference Was Immediate

Once fitted and adjusted, the change in his walking was clear:

• He was steadier

• His knee remained better aligned throughout stance

• His foot clearance improved

• And he was walking noticeably faster than with his previous brace

For a patient recovering from stroke, these improvements aren’t just technical, they translate directly into confidence, independence and quality of life.

Moving Forward

This case highlights how the right orthotic, designed and fitted with precision, can transform mobility for people living with neurological conditions. A lighter, better‑aligned brace doesn’t just improve gait mechanics, it makes everyday movement feel achievable again.

If you or someone you support is experiencing foot drop, knee instability, or difficulty walking after a stroke, our team at Woods Orthotics can help with expert assessment and bespoke orthotic solutions tailored to real‑world needs.

Call us on: 01691 592156

Our clinic room in Woods Orthotics