BACKGROUND: Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are usually used for patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (ISCI) to provide support in walking. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of AFOs, with and without ankle hinges, on specific gait parameters during treadmill training by subjects with ISCI. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi-experimental. METHODS: Five patients with ISCI at the thoracic level participated in this study. Gait evaluation was performed when walking 1) barefoot 2) wearing a solid AFO and 3) wearing a hinged AFO. RESULTS: The mean step length when walking barefoot was 26.3 ± 16.37 cm compared to 31.3 ± 17.27 cm with a solid AFO and 28.5 ± 15.86 cm with a hinged AFO. The mean cadence for walking barefoot was 61.59 ± 25.65 steps/min. compared to 50.94 ± 22.36 steps/min. with a solid AFO and 56.25 ± 24.44 steps/min with a hinged AFO. Significant differences in cadence and step length during walking were only demonstrated between the barefoot condition and when wearing a solid AFO. Significant difference was not observed between conditions in mean of ankle range of motion. CONCLUSION: The solid AFO was the only condition which improved cadence and step length in patients during ISCI gait training. Clinical relevance A solid AFO could be used permanently to compensate for impaired ankle function or it could be used while retraining stepping.
BACKGROUND: Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are usually used for patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (ISCI) to provide support in walking. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of AFOs, with and without ankle hinges, on specific gait parameters during treadmill training by subjects with ISCI. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi-experimental. METHODS: Five patients with ISCI at the thoracic level participated in this study. Gait evaluation was performed when walking 1) barefoot 2) wearing a solid AFO and 3) wearing a hinged AFO. RESULTS: The mean step length when walking barefoot was 26.3 ± 16.37 cm compared to 31.3 ± 17.27 cm with a solid AFO and 28.5 ± 15.86 cm with a hinged AFO. The mean cadence for walking barefoot was 61.59 ± 25.65 steps/min. compared to 50.94 ± 22.36 steps/min. with a solid AFO and 56.25 ± 24.44 steps/min with a hinged AFO. Significant differences in cadence and step length during walking were only demonstrated between the barefoot condition and when wearing a solid AFO. Significant difference was not observed between conditions in mean of ankle range of motion. CONCLUSION: The solid AFO was the only condition which improved cadence and step length in patients during ISCI gait training. Clinical relevance A solid AFO could be used permanently to compensate for impaired ankle function or it could be used while retraining stepping.
Authors: Toshiki Kobayashi; Michael S Orendurff; Grace Hunt; Fan Gao; Nicholas LeCursi; Lucas S Lincoln; K Bo Foreman Journal: Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) Date: 2018-08-10 Impact factor: 2.063
Authors: Lysanne A F de Jong; Yvette L Kerkum; Tom de Groot; Marije Vos-van der Hulst; Ilse J W van Nes; Noel L W Keijsers Journal: Sensors (Basel) Date: 2021-02-02 Impact factor: 3.576