Document Detail


Polypropylene ankle foot orthoses to overcome drop-foot gait in central neurological patients: a mechanical and functional evaluation.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20738233     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The aim of this study was to assess the functional effects and mechanical contribution of Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFO) prescribed to overcome drop-foot gait. We hypothesized that poor functional effects of the AFO relate to insufficient mechanical contribution of the AFO during the swing phase, or unwanted constraining of the ankle during the stance phase. In seven patients with Stroke or Multiple Sclerosis, we determined changes in energy cost of walking resulting from wearing an AFO, as a measure of the functional effects. In addition, an instrumented gait analysis was performed, and the mechanical AFO properties were measured, to calculate the mechanical contribution of the AFO. The AFO was sufficiently stiff to effectively support the foot in swing, without hampering the ankle during stance. For the whole group, there was a significant improvement in walking speed and energy cost (12%). However, the AFO had no functional benefit in terms of a reduced energy cost of walking for three patients, who coherently demonstrated no pathological plantar flexion during swing without their AFO. We conclude that functional benefit from the AFO was only found when the mechanical AFO characteristics met the need to support the patients' mechanical deficiencies.
Authors:
Daan J J Bregman; Vincent De Groot; Peter Van Diggele; Hubert Meulman; Han Houdijk; Jaap Harlaar
Related Documents :
1559603 - The myelodysplastic hip and scoliosis.
11020923 - Weilby-burton arthroplasty of the trapeziometacarpal joint of the thumb.
12067823 - Acute renal failure caused by leptospirosis and hantavirus infection in an urban hospital.
Publication Detail:
Type:  Evaluation Studies; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Prosthetics and orthotics international     Volume:  34     ISSN:  1746-1553     ISO Abbreviation:  Prosthet Orthot Int     Publication Date:  2010 Sep 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-08-26     Completed Date:  2010-12-16     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7707720     Medline TA:  Prosthet Orthot Int     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  293-304     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
MOVE Institute for Human Movement Research, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. d.bregman@vumc.nl
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Aged
Ankle Joint*
Biomechanics / physiology
Energy Metabolism / physiology
Female
Foot Joints*
Gait Disorders, Neurologic / etiology,  physiopathology,  rehabilitation*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Multiple Sclerosis / complications,  rehabilitation*
Orthotic Devices*
Polyethylene*
Retrospective Studies
Stroke / complications,  rehabilitation*
Treatment Outcome
Walking / physiology
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
9002-88-4/Polyethylene

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Effect of AFO design on walking after stroke: impact of ankle plantar flexion contracture.
Next Document:  Early observations of the effects of lateral wedge orthoses on lower limb muscle length and potentia...