title: Simulation of unilateral equinus using an adjustable orthosis in children: design, feasibility and biomechanical effects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In order to increase understanding of the biomechanical consequences of equinus foot on gait, we developed an orthosis to induce an adjustable degree of unilateral equinus. The aim of this study was to evaluate its feasibility and consequences on 3D ankle kinematics and kinetics.
  
  
  METHODS
  3D gait analysis was carried out in 10 healthy children without the orthosis, with the non-adjusted orthosis and with the orthosis adjusted to +10°, 0°, -10°, -20° of ankle dorsiflexion and maximum plantarflexion (MP). The amount of dorsiflexion at initial contact was close to the goniometric measurement. Significant kinematic and kinetic changes occurred at -10°, -20° and MP. The mean maximum equinus at initial contact -21.65° ± 4.17 and during stance -11.61° ± 4.82 were larger than those obtained with previous described devices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our device was easy-to-use and induced an adjustable, well tolerated equinus. It provides a new way to simulate equinus and its biomechanical consequences on gait.
authors.affiliation: CHRU de Brest, Hôpital Morvan, Service de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation, Brest Cedex, France. laetitia.houx@chu-brest.fr
authors.forename: Laetitia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Houx
authors.forename: Sylvain
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brochard
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lempereur
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Remy-Neris
mesh_terms: D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004863:Equinus Deformity / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology