[Functional impact of carbon fiber springs in ankle-foot orthoses].
BACKGROUND
Patients with calf muscle insufficiency are often dependent on ankle-foot orthoses (AFO). The orthosis should improve walking and posture and should prevent structural deformities. AFOs are usually manufactured with a dorsiflexion stop. In the current study, orthoses with a dorsal carbon fiber spring were compared with the classic design.


METHODS
Five patients with spina bifida, one with poliomyelitis, and one with a tibial nerve block took part in the study. All participants underwent a 3-D gait analysis including data collection of kinematics (VICON) and kinetics (Kistler).


RESULTS
It was found that the use of a carbon fiber spring significantly increases the energy return during the third rocker for a push-off effect (p<0.05). The measurements showed further that the carbon spring was able to support the patient during the complete stance phase. The analysis of the ankle and knee kinematics reveals that the spring contributes to a more physiological gait (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This investigation showed that the use of a carbon spring and the alignment positively influenced the gait pattern during the stance phase.
Alimusaj
M
M
Ganganalyselabor, Stiftung Orthopädische Universitätsklinik Heidelberg, Heidelberg. Merkur.Alimusaj@ok.uni-heidelberg.de
Knie
I
I
Wolf
S
S
Fuchs
A
A
Braatz
F
F
Döderlein
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000842:Ankle; D002244:Carbon; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D002648:Child; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D005684:Gait; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D020127:Recovery of Function
D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D002244:Carbon