Journal
PROSTHETICS AND ORTHOTICS INTERNATIONAL
Volume 37, Issue 1, Pages 70-75Publisher
SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
DOI: 10.1177/0309364612448511
Keywords
Ankle foot orthosis; gait training; rehabilitation; incomplete spinal cord injury
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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.
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