Evaluation of effect of ankle-foot orthosis use on strength restoration of paretic dorsiflexors.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether a difference exists in restoration of strength between patients with a recent paresis of the dorsiflexors of the ankle using an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) and patients without an AFO.


METHODS
Prospective case-control study.


METHODS
Patients from regional hospitals, tested in a rehabilitation research center.


METHODS
Twenty-nine patients with a recent (6wk-1yr) peripheral paresis, alternately assigned to a group using an AFO or a control group. There was no significant difference in duration of the paresis and in torque at entering the study (T0) between the 2 groups.


METHODS
The use of an ankle-foot orthosis.


METHODS
Isometric torque production of ankle dorsiflexors, expressed as ratio of paretic and healthy side, in 2 measurement sessions, over a period of 6 weeks (T0-T6) with the ankle in 0 degrees and 30 degrees plantarflexion.


RESULTS
Both groups had significant restoration of strength +/- standard deviation between T0 and T6 in 30 degrees flexion: non-AFO group 17% +/- 15%, AFO group 9% +/- 12%. No significant difference existed between the 2 groups (30 degrees p = .56). No significant shift in strength ratio 0 degrees :30 degrees occurred (AFO group p = .82).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of an orthosis does not influence restoration of strength in patients with a recent peripheral paresis of the ankle dorsiflexors.
Geboers
J F
JF
Institute for Rehabilitation Research, Hoensbroek, the Netherlands. marion.geboers@irv.nl
Janssen-Potten
Y J
YJ
Seelen
H A
HA
Spaans
F
F
Drost
M R
MR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000842:Ankle; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010543:Peroneal Nerve; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric