Effects of ankle-foot orthoses on hemiparetic gait.
OBJECTIVE
Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are widely used to provide optimal ambulation in people with hemiplegia. In this study we evaluated the mechanical effects of metallic and plastic AFOs on severely hemiparetic stroke patients.


METHODS
Twelve hemiparetic patients were analysed on a Vicon 370 Motion Analysis System. Spatiotemporal, kinematic and kinetic parameters were measured.


RESULTS
The two types of orthoses generally had similar positive effects on hemiplegic gait parameters, increasing cadence, walking speed, single and double step length, ankle dorsiflexion angle at heel strike and swing. The metallic AFO was better at increasing the ankle dorsiflexion angle than the plastic AFO.


CONCLUSIONS
Hemiplegic gait was improved by both orthoses. However, metallic AFOs provided better stabilization of the ankle, allowing improved heel strike and push-off.
Gök
Haydar
H
Ankara University School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkey. hgoktr@yahoo.com
Küçükdeveci
Ayse
A
Altinkaynak
Haydar
H
Yavuzer
Günes
G
Ergin
Süreyya
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D011126:Polypropylenes; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology
D008670:Metals; D011126:Polypropylenes