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THE RICHIE BRACE
 A
Unique, Custom Ankle Foot Orthosis for Extraordinary Control
of the Ankle and Hind Foot.
The Richie Brace is a
custom ankle foot orthosis designed to treat chronic
conditions of the foot and ankle, Introduced to the medical
community in 1996, The Richie Brace has revolutionized the
non-operative approach to the most challenging pathologies
treated by the foot and ankle specialist.
With a contoured balanced
orthotic footplate articulated to adjustable semi-rigid
lower leg uprights, The Richie Brace is ideally suited to
stabilize rotational forces at the Midtarsal, Subtalar and
Talo-Crural Joints. Modifications and enhancements are
available to add further restriction of motion in the
sagital, frontal or transverse plane.
The Richie Brace is
fabricated from an impression cast taken of the patient's
foot and lower leg. This custom ankle-foot-orthosis is
reimburseable by Medicare and most third-party payors.
Information on casting, coding and reimbursement information
is available.
Clinical Indications:
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Adult Acquired
Flatfoot secondary to PTTD
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Lateral Ankle
Instability
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DJD of Ankle or
Rearfoot
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Peroneal
Tendinopathy
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Dropfoot
(Restricted Pivot or Dynamic Assist options).
Richie Brace Features
and Benefits:
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Custom Orthotic
Footplate: Intrinsic Posting of forefoot varus/valgus,
contoured medial and lateral arches, optimal position of
first ray
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35 millimeter
Contoured Heel Cup: Frontal plane control of calcaneus
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Anatomic Ankle
Hinge Placement: Pure, unrestricted saggital plane ankle
motion for performance and comfort
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Semi-rigid Lower
Limb Supports: Aligned to provide maximum control of
internal/external rotation of the tibia and inversion/eversion
of the ankle
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Adjustable Limb
Support Straps: User friendly with minimal bulk around
limb supports
*The Richie Brace requires
a negative impression cast utilizing either plaster splints
or the STS Casting Sock. Neutral suspension technique is
recommended while plantarflexing the first Ray.
Casting Instructions :
 Step
1Foot held 90 degrees
dorsiflexed. Outline lateral malleolus. Make large
dot at distal (tip) of malleolus. |
 Outline
medial malleolus. Make large dot at distal-bisection
(tip) of malleolus. |
 Step
2Apply plaster:
Splint#1 Folded around back of ankle & heel,
around malleolus leave front of ankle uncovered. |
 Splint#2
Place around heel & rear foot. |
 Splint#3
Place over tips of toes and cover
plantar forefoot. |
 Step
3Position foot:
Grip 4th & 5th toes. Lift foot load midtarsal joint.
Position Subtalar joint in neutral. Push down gently
on top of 1st metatarsal. |
 Step
4Remove cast:
Expand anterior ankle and dorsal foot portions of
cast. Pull off cast in distal plantar direction. |
 Check
cast to assure transfer of skin markings. Do not
ship cast until plaster is fully dry and cured (at
least 8 hours after casting). |
*Neutral Suspension – Plaster
Technique
Patient Positioning: Supine, knee flexed 20°-30°
Plaster Requirements: 3 splints, 5”x30”
(folded to double thickness 5”x15”)
*NOTE: Use felt pen, this is
critically important to allow accurate placement of anatomic
ankle hinge axis as well as proper length of foot orthotic
component.
SUPPINATUS
Forefoot “Suppinatus” must be removed when casting for the
Richie Brace®.
Push down gently on top of 1st Met head:
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Soft tissue
contracture (compensation), resulting from everted
heel/inverted forefoot is easily reduced by plantar
flexing the First Ray.
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Note that “False
Forefoot Varus” Has been eliminated in the corrected
cast on the right.
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 Corrected
cast is shown on the right, uncorrected cast on the
left. Cast on the right actually produces a better
arch contour, comfort and fit of the Richie Brace®
orthotic foot plate. |
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