PAGE 1 USER INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHILDREN’S SIZE DORSI-LITE™ FOOT SPLINT (AFO) FITS CHILDREN’S FEET. (US sizes 2 thru 13), (EU sizes 17 thru 31) o Treats Foot Drop, Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendonitis, Heel Spurs, and Shin Splints o Used With or Without Shoes for Most Daily Activities, and for Sleeping o Used Barefoot, or with Shoes, Booties, High-Tops, or Sandals o Water-Safe for Bathing, Swimming, Hydrotherapy o Tiny profile, Ultra-Light (1.2 oz.), Normal Ankle Mobility, Super Comfortable, Easy On/Off o Washable. Replacement fabric components available in the 3-Piece Set CONTENTS Page 1. Product Description Page 2. Important User Information, Safety and Comfort, Care Instructions Page 3. Using the Dorsi-Lite™ Without Shoes Page 4. Using the Dorsi-Lite™ With Shoes, Sneakers, Sandals and Boots Page 5. Using the Dorsi-Lite™ With Shoes that Do Not Have Lace Holes and With Sandals Page 6. Helpful Hints: Making the Dorsi-Lite™ most Convenient to use, Trimming Excess Material Page 7. Replacing the Cuff on the Plastic Spine Page 8. Replacing the Strap and the Pad on the Plastic Spine PACKAGE CONTENTS: One Dorsi-Lite™ Foot Splint. This device treats one foot. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 1. The children’s size Dorsi-Lite™ Foot Splint ankle foot orthosis (AFO) provides dorsi-flexion support and stabilization for the foot, and helps maintain the foot in a neutral position while at rest. This device can also be used as a night splint that is comfortable, secure, and which produces a near-normal gait for walking. 2. For use with many types of shoes, boots, high-tops, or sandals, normally in patients’ regular shoe sizes. Oversize and wider-than-normal shoes are rarely required. 3. The Dorsi-Lite™ can be used dry, like most braces, and it is also fully water compatible for use during bathing, showering, swimming and hydrotherapy. 4. This device fits children’s foot sizes. (US: kids’ sizes 2 thru 13) (EU: kids’ sizes 17 thru 31). 5. Replacement fabric components are available from X-Strap Systems, or online. X-STRAP® SYSTEMS 9 STONEGATE DRIVE, HYDE PARK, NY 12538 Phone: (845) 233-4713 FAX: (914) 931-1256 Web: www.x-strap.com © 2020 X-STRAP® SYSTEMS (03-20) PAGE 2 IMPORTANT USER INFORMATION PLEASE READ BEFORE USING THE DORSI-LITE™ Information in the x-strap.com website, and in related documentation (hardcopy forms, brochures, user instructions, etc.) or photographs, or any type of digitized format, is intended to assist potential customers in making purchase decisions when evaluating our products without professional med ical advice. The website and related documentation only contain general information about the products offered for sale by X-Strap® Systems. Under no circumstances should this information be interpreted as medical diagnosis, opinion, or advice, which must only be provided by licensed medical providers, including doctors and therapists. The user’s safety and comfort are paramount! !!! SAFETY AND COMFORT !!! 1. NEVER USE WITH A TIGHT OR A SNUG SHOE, AND NEVER OVER-TIGHTEN THE SHOE’S LACES OR CLOSURE STRAPS. 2. The Dorsi-Lite™ MUST be used with shoes that have shoelaces or Velcro Straps for closure. This device is not recommended for use with slip in shoes, slip-in boots, loafers, high boots, or with sandals that do not cover the instep sufficiently, as shown in Page 5. 3. The Dorsi-Lite™ should not be used during vigorous activities. 4. If pulmonary problems, or any medical conditions, other than foot drop, exist, get a physician’s or therapist’s approval prior to use. 5. REMOVE THE LOWER STRAP BEFORE USING WITH ANY KIND OF SHOE OR SANDAL. 6. Ensure that the cushioning Pad, at the bottom end of the plastic Spine, is not wrinkled when the DORSI-LITE™ is inserted into the shoe. 7. Apply only as shown in these User Instructions. Apply snuggly. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN! 8. Fabric components wear out over time. Replace worn straps before product failure occurs. 9. Please read “Care Instructions” in order to maximize the user’s experience. See Page 1. 10. If this device does not fit comfortably, adjust the Strap and/or the Cuff for a more comfortable fit. If discomfort continues, discontinue use, call us for help, or return the device for a refund. 11. Trim excess strap lengths with sharp scissors after proper application See Page 6. 12. The amount of time this device can be worn continuously will vary by individual. For new users, the best personal schedule should be determined over the first week or two of use. 13. Children with larger foot sizes may need to use the larger, adult size Dorsi-Lite™. 14. The Dorsi-Lite™ will not be effective and/or comfortable for all individuals. Users with a high instep may feel discomfort at the top of the foot. If this happens, call us for help. 15. Any alteration of Dorsi-Lite™ components (other than trimming extra strap material), is a misuse or misapplication of the device, and may cause serious injury. X-Strap® Systems, the manufacturer, will not be responsible for damages or injuries caused by misuse or misapplication of the device. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT SOME ASPECT OF THE DORSI-LITE™, CALL US! (845) 233-4713 CARE INSTRUCTIONS WASHING: Only HAND WASH the Dorsi-Lite™ fabric components. • Remove all fabric components from the plastic Spine, squeeze them gently in warm water and mild soap. • To rinse, squeeze the components under cold running water until all soap is gone, then squeeze the components to remove additional moisture. DO NOT WRING! • Press flat between a towel to remove additional moisture, then lay flat to air dry. STRAP REPLACEMENT: The Dorsi-Lite™ fabric components should be inspected regularly (we suggest weekly), to identify and make repairs, when needed. Worn or damaged components should be replaced with new ones, to ensure continued comfort and safety. See Pages 7-8 for instructions showing how to easily attach fabric components to the plastic Spine. © 2020 X-STRAP® SYSTEMS (03-20) PAGE 3 USING THE DORSI-LITE™ WITHOUT SHOES TO USE THE DORSI-LITE™ WITHOUT SHOES, BOTH THE CUFF (worn around the ankle), AND THE STRAP (worn around the foot), MUST BE USED. 1. Fully open both the Dorsi-Lite™ Cuff and Strap’s Velcro® connection. Do not separate the cuff and strap from the Instep Image plastic spine. 2. As shown in Fig. 1, hold the Dorsi-Lite™ with the UP^ INSTEP CUFF arrow pointing up, and place the plastic Spine over the top of the foot (the instep, see image at right) and against the front of the ankle. Move it around a bit to seat it comfortably. 3. As shown in Fig. 2, while holding the Dorsi-Lite™ in this position, elevate the forefoot, slightly stretch the Strap, located at the bottom end of the Spine, and smoothly wrap it under the foot, and then continue wrapping it around and over the top of the foot, until the Strap locks onto the Velcro® strip that is sewn to the Strap FIG. 1 itself. NOTE: Strap fit should be SNUG, NEVER TIGHT! PLASTIC SPINE 4. Center the Dorsi-Lite™ on the foot comfortably, then slightly PAD stretch and wrap the Cuff, at the top end of the plastic (Attached to up Velcro R Back of Spine) Spine, around the back of the leg, and continue wrapping it completely around the ankle, until it locks Velcro R CUFF onto the exposed Velcro® strip at the front of the Spine. Continue wrapping the Cuff in the same direction until sock it locks onto the Velcro® strip that is sewn to the Cuff STRAP itself. NOTE: Cuff fit should be SNUG, NEVER TIGHT! 5. T EST FOR GOOD SUPPORT AND COMFORT. With the Strap and Cuff applied snuggly and FIG. 2 comfortably, have the user take a few steps to test this setting. If an adjustment to the fit is needed for improved support and/or comfort, re-apply the Strap and/or the Cuff, then test the fit again. Repeat as CUFF needed to optimize the fit. NOTE: NEVER MAKE THE CUFF AND STRAPS TIGHT Strap Around up SUGGESTION: Once the Strap has been applied Foot snuggly around the foot, as described above, additional adjustments are normally made by adjusting the fit of the Cuff. NOTE: Figs. 1 & 2, above, show the Dorsi-Lite™ with the Cuff and Strap aligned to the left. This causes the Strap and the Cuff to close at the left side of the leg, and is normally used for the left leg. See Pages 7 & 8 for setting Strap and Cuff closure to either the left or the right side. © 2020 X-STRAP® SYSTEMS (03-20) PAGE 4 USING THE DORSI-LITE™ WITH SHOES, SNEAKERS, SANDALS AND BOOTS • NEVER USE THE LOWER STRAP WHEN USING WITH ANY TYPE OF SHO E. • Do not use with a tight or a snug shoe, and never over-tighten the shoe’s closures. • If a pressure point occurs, using a different shoe may solve the problem. • Do not use with loafers, slip-in shoes, or slip-in boots. • Do not use with shoes that have heels higher than ½”. • SEE PAGE 5 for use with sandals and with shoes that close using Velcro® straps. 1. First remove the Strap completely from the lower end of the Dorsi-Lite’s™ plastic Spine by breaking its Velcro connection. See Fig. 3. ATTENTION: FAILURE TO REMOVE THE STRAP WHEN USING THE DORSI-LITE™ WITH ANY KIND OF SHOE MAY CAUSE SEVERE INJURY TO THE FOOT!!! 2. Open the shoe’s laces, or Velcro® straps widely to allow for easy entry, then slip the shoe over the foot.