Floor Reaction AFOs (FRAFO) for Kids: Managing Crouch Gait

A floor reaction AFO (FRAFO, sometimes called a ground reaction AFO) has a rigid shell with a band across the front of the shin. As the child stands and steps, it harnesses the force of the ground pushing back up - the floor reaction - to help straighten the knee. It's a specialized brace for a specific problem.

What it does

It's most often prescribed for children with crouch gait - a bent-knee walking pattern common in some forms of cerebral palsy - where weak calf or quad muscles let the knee collapse forward. By blocking the ankle and redirecting ground force, a FRAFO helps the child stand taller and walk with straighter knees, reducing fatigue.

What to look for in a shoe

A FRAFO is rigid and full-length, so shoe fit is critical - the sole and the brace work together.

• A wide, full opening for the rigid shell.
• Removable insoles and real depth to seat the brace.
• A stable, supportive sole - your orthotist may want a specific sole profile, since it affects how the brace functions.

How BILLY fits a FRAFO

The BILLY Goat offers the most depth and the widest opening, which suits a bulkier rigid brace, and it's CPMA-certified. Because sole geometry matters with a FRAFO, confirm the shoe choice with your orthotist - the brace and shoe are tuned as a system.

Shop and learn more

Browse Kids' AFO Shoes and read about AFOs for children with cerebral palsy. A FRAFO is highly specialized - always fit shoes under your orthotist's guidance.