Researchers and biomedical engineers at Miami University, Ohio, designed an active orthotic boot for children with cerebral palsy, specifically spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. These children often walk on their toes and in later years require surgery to lengthen the calf muscle. Current orthotic boots and braces hold the foot in a stretched position that prevents normal walking. The new boot uses feedback based on the patient's foot angle and how much pressure is applied to the boot. Shape-memory alloys are used for the structure and actuators that lift and lower the foot to rehabilitate the patient. The boot acts as a support and a physical therapist. For example, actuators move and stretch the leg muscles, providing physical therapy daily. The boot also monitors and records patient actions, giving therapists an honest and complete record of the patient's progress.