title: Effects of ankle-foot orthoses on hemiparetic gait.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Ankara University School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkey. hgoktr@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Haydar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gök
authors.forename: Ayse
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Küçükdeveci
authors.forename: Haydar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Altinkaynak
authors.forename: Günes
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yavuzer
authors.forename: Süreyya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ergin
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D011126:Polypropylenes