Stroke rehabilitation and orthotic treatment at Orthotics Plus Melbourne
Orthotic management plays an important role in stroke rehabilitation by improving mobility, reducing falls risk, and supporting greater independence during everyday activities. The right device can improve walking efficiency, joint stability, and confidence throughout recovery.
Orthotics Plus provides stroke rehabilitation and stroke treatment through biomechanical assessment and custom orthotic management as part of the broader rehabilitation process. Our university-qualified, AOPA-registered orthotists work alongside rehabilitation teams across five Melbourne clinics. We are a registered NDIS provider, and you can book an appointment directly without a referral.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain becomes interrupted or reduced. Without oxygen and nutrients, brain cells begin to die within minutes.
There are two main types of stroke. An ischaemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery supplying the brain. A haemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures and causes bleeding within the brain. Both require urgent medical care.
Following hospital treatment, rehabilitation helps many people improve mobility, function, and independence. Orthotic treatment forms part of this rehabilitation pathway by supporting movement and helping people return to daily activities safely.
What Are the Lasting Effects of a Stroke?
Stroke affects each person differently. Some people experience mild weakness, while others develop significant physical or cognitive impairments that require ongoing rehabilitation.
Common long-term effects include muscle weakness, paralysis affecting one or both sides of the body, spasticity, poor coordination, reduced balance, and difficulty walking. Some people also experience changes in communication, swallowing, memory, attention, or problem-solving abilities.
Orthotic management focuses on physical challenges that affect mobility and upper limb function. Custom orthoses can improve joint stability, reduce abnormal movement patterns, and increase confidence during walking and standing. These devices also support stroke walking and upper-limb rehabilitation alongside physiotherapy and other rehabilitation services.
What Types of Orthotics Are Helpful for Stroke Patients?
The most appropriate orthotic device depends on your mobility, muscle strength, rehabilitation goals, and stage of recovery. Your orthotist completes a comprehensive assessment before recommending the most suitable option.
Ground Reaction Ankle Foot Orthoses (GRAFOs)
Ground Reaction Ankle Foot Orthoses help manage foot drop, ankle weakness, and reduced knee stability during walking. By improving lower limb alignment, these devices support a more efficient gait pattern and can reduce the effort required to walk.
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Systems
Functional Electrical Stimulation uses controlled electrical impulses to activate specific muscles during movement. Selected stroke patients may benefit from FES for lower limb or upper limb rehabilitation where clinical assessment identifies appropriate indications.
FES can support walking practice and functional movement during rehabilitation. It may also assist stroke spasticity treatment for selected patients when used as part of a broader rehabilitation program.
Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs)
Ankle Foot Orthoses remain the most commonly prescribed orthotic device following stroke. They improve ankle stability, reduce foot drop, improve toe clearance, and support safer walking during rehabilitation.
Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses (KAFOs)
Patients with significant lower-limb weakness or paralysis may require a Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis. KAFOs provide additional knee stability during standing, transfers, and walking while supporting rehabilitation goals.
Stroke rehabilitation changes over time. As mobility improves, an orthotist may recommend a different device that better matches your current level of function. Some patients progress from a KAFO to an AFO as strength and walking ability improve, while others require ongoing support to maintain safe mobility.
Stroke Referrals for Orthotics Plus
Orthotic assessment often begins during the post-acute rehabilitation phase or after discharge into community rehabilitation. Orthotics Plus accepts referrals from rehabilitation physicians, neurologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, exercise physiologists, GPs, and other healthcare professionals. Patients can also contact us directly without a referral.
We provide stroke rehabilitation in Melbourne through our clinics in Malvern, Heidelberg, Richmond, Forest Hill, and Pascoe Vale. Our clinicians work closely with physiotherapists and exercise physiologists to ensure orthotic management supports each patient’s rehabilitation goals.
Our services include comprehensive assessment, gait analysis, prefabricated and custom orthotic options, education for patients and carers, follow-up reviews, and ongoing device adjustments. We also prepare NDIS goal-aligned Assistive Technology reports for eligible participants when required.
Stroke FAQ
Yes. Orthotic treatment can improve walking efficiency, increase stability, reduce falls risk, and support greater independence during daily activities. Outcomes depend on the location and severity of the stroke, muscle strength, rehabilitation goals, and ongoing participation in rehabilitation. Many patients continue to improve as their rehabilitation progresses.
Stroke rehabilitation often continues for months or years. Your orthotist reviews your mobility, walking pattern, and functional goals throughout this period to ensure your orthosis continues to provide the right level of support. For NDIS participants, we can prepare Assistive Technology reports and recommendations that align with approved plan goals and changing clinical needs.
Your orthotist completes a comprehensive assessment before recommending a device. This assessment considers muscle strength, joint stability, walking pattern, balance, range of motion, spasticity, and your rehabilitation goals. Some patients benefit from an AFO, while others require a GRAFO, KAFO, Functional Electrical Stimulation, or another orthotic solution.
Our role focuses on orthotic assessment and rehabilitation support following acute hospital care. We assess mobility, prescribe custom orthoses, monitor progress, and adjust devices as your needs change. Our clinicians also work closely with physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation physicians, and other healthcare professionals involved in your recovery.
Many people benefit from assessment during the early stages of rehabilitation once their medical team considers them ready. Others attend after returning home or during community rehabilitation. Your treating team or orthotist can recommend the most appropriate timing based on your recovery and mobility goals.
Many eligible patients receive funding through the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Depending on your level of private health cover, your policy may also contribute towards orthotic treatment. Our team can explain your funding options before treatment begins.
Yes. Orthotic devices improve lower-limb alignment, increase joint stability, and assist with foot clearance during walking. These improvements often allow patients to walk more safely and efficiently while participating in their rehabilitation program.
Yes. Orthotics Plus provides assessment of selected upper-limb orthoses when clinically appropriate. Device recommendations depend on your muscle function, spasticity, joint position, and rehabilitation goals. Your orthotist will work with your rehabilitation team to determine the most appropriate management plan.