FAO acronym

[Guest guest]

Sharing the following, from the current issue of the Journal of

Pediatric Orthopedics. the answer to the title is 'yes', of course.

(longer follow up would be interesting)

This was the first time I've seen " FAO " .. foot abduction orthosis.

I've also seen " Ponseti brace " quite frequently lately. (As I

understand it, DBB is not an accurate term, when applied to the brace

used in the method, though frequently called so anyway.)

and Claire

.................................

Use of the Foot Abduction Orthosis Following Ponseti Casts: Is It

Essential?

Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics. 25(2):225-228, March/April 2005.

Thacker, Mihir M MD; Scher, M MD; Sala, Debra A MS, PT; van

Bosse, Harold J. P MD; Feldman, S MD; Lehman, Wallace B MD

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the need for the use of a

foot abduction orthosis (FAO) in the treatment of idiopathic clubfeet

using the Ponseti technique. Forty-four idiopathic clubfeet were

treated with casting using the Ponseti method followed by FAO

application. Compliance was defined as full-time FAO use for 3 months

and part-time use subsequently. Noncompliance was failure to fulfill

the criteria during the first 9 months after casting. Feet were rated

according to the Dimeglio and Pirani scoring systems at initial

presentation, at the time of FAO application, and at 6 to 9 months of

follow-up. At the time of application, no significant differences in

scores were found between the groups. At follow-up, the compliant

group's scores were significantly (P < 0.01) better than those of the

noncompliant group. From the time of application to follow-up, for

the compliant group, the Dimeglio scores improved significantly (P =

0.005). For the noncompliant group, the Dimeglio scores deteriorated

significantly (P = 0.001). The feet of patients compliant with FAO

use remained better corrected than the feet of those patients who

were not compliant. Proper use of FAO is essential for successful

application of the Ponseti technique.

© 2005 Lippincott & Wilkins, Inc.