Questions and Answers... PRAFO® Pressure Relief Ankle-Foot Orthosis What is a PRAFO®? The term PRAFO® stands for Pressure Relief Ankle Foot Orthosis - a family of devices manufactured by Anatomical Concepts Inc and developed since 1995.
Do other companies make PRAFO’s? The term PRAFO® is a registered trademark and shouldn’t be used to refer to anything other than our products. The PRAFO® range are patented and trademark registered products because we know that they have benefits that rival products cannot claim. If you compare a rival product side by side with a PRAFO® you will understand this.
What are the main applications? There are actually a broad range of applications and you will find a page later that lists many of them. You will see that these devices are very versatile. In simple terms, the PRAFO® range is perfect for all patients with compromised mobility at risk of pressure sores at the heel. Lack of mobility tends to increase the risk of pressure sores and we all know that the heels and malleoli are vulnerable. Whether a patient is in bed or in a wheelchair, pressure sores at the heel are important to prevent and difficult to treat. These devices ensure ZERO pressure and shear at the heel - eliminating the main cause of ulceration. Research suggests that whenever the risk of pressure sores at the heel is high, it is vital to take ALL pressure, and particularly shear force, off the area. NO device that touches the area can do this.
“Its not what you put on a foot ulcer - its what you take off - eliminate pressure and shear”
The PRAFO® range is particularly impressive because they are the only designs on the market that can serve to protect when a patient is immobile and continue to protect when the rehabilitation process requires mobility. The design ensures that the patient is protected around the vulnerable areas of the foot and heel and will remain so during ambulation. The structure was designed from the outset to allow safe ambulation and still keep vulnerable areas protected. It’s integral walking base gives good stability and security. Many rival products have a detachable foot base that is insecure and puts the patient at risk.
I’ve seen cheaper devices that look similar to yours - why should we use yours? Product cost is always important but make sure that you really compare like - with like. As you know, prescription should be made on the basis of clinical effectiveness. Think about what you actually expect a product to do and then first of all identify products that meet that requirement. The PRAFO® range of products are competitively priced with features that mean you only pay for the benefits you need. Some other devices are certainly cheaper and do not have the same level of mechanical stiffness as our products. Our products have a metal upright section where all other designs are plastic. This ensures that ours has a mechanical stiffness that is vital for effectiveness.
Innovative, clinically effective, healthcare solutions www.anatomicalconcepts.com - info@anatomicalconcepts.com 8-10 Dunrobin Court, Clydebank G81 2QP Scotland t: +44(0)141-952-2323 f:+44(0)141-952-3434