title: Effects of the ankle angle of an ankle foot orthosis on foot pressure during the gait in healthy adults.
abstract: [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the ankle angle of an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) on foot pressure during the gait in healthy adults. [Subjects] Sixteen healthy males with neither orthopedic nor neurological problems participated in this study. [Methods] Subjects walked on a walkway at a self-selected pace with an AFO set at four different ankle angles (-5°, 0°, 5°, and 10°). Foot pressure was measured randomly according to the ankle angle of the AFO using an F-scan system. Three trials were measured and averaged for data analysis. [Results] The peak foot pressure of the hallux, 2nd-5th toes, 2nd and 3rd metatarsal heads, 4th and 5th metatarsal heads, and the heel showed significant differences among the AFO ankle angles: angles of 0° and -5° increased the foot pressure of the lateral legions, and the peak foot pressure of the heel at an AFO ankle angle of 10° was significantly greater than those of the other angles. [Conclusion] The ankle angle of the AFO affected foot pressure and gait patterns during gait. The results suggest that the appropriate angle for an AFO is between 5° and 10° when AFOs are prescribed by clinicians.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Yeungnam University College, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Sung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Science, Daegu University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hae-Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Science, Daegu University: 201 Daegudae-ro, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Myoung-Kwon
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Ankle angle; Ankle foot orthosis; Gait