Effects of Articulated & Static Ankle Foot Orthotics on Gait Kinematics: Foot Drop Patients Perspective: Effects of Articulated & Static Ankle Foot Orthotics on Gait

Aqsa Khan; Aqeel Ahmed Khan; Irzam Haroon; Wafa Khattak; Muhammad Kashif; Muhammad Kamran; Ghulam Saqulain

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v5i03.1337

Authors

Aqsa Khan Mehboob Medical Centre, Peshawar, Pakistan
Aqeel Ahmed Khan Isra Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isra University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Irzam Haroon Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan
Wafa Khattak Indus Hospital, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan
Muhammad Kashif Indus Hospital, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan
Muhammad Kamran Chal Foundation Bacha Khan Medical Complex, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Ghulam Saqulain Capital Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6452-9339

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v5i03.1337

Keywords:

Ankle Foot Orthosis, Foot Drop, Hemiplegia, Stroke

Abstract

Foot drop is a common occurrence following stroke. Ankle foot orthotics (AFO) are used to correct drop foot deformity with several AFOs available to choose from. Literature suggests research on the impact of articulated AFO on gait. Objective: To determine the impact of static/ rigid and articulated AFO on gait kinematics in foot drop cases. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 100 unilateral drop foot cases from the PIPOS Rehabilitation Services Program from September 2019 to February 2020. The sample included both genders aged 2-15 years. Gait Lab data were used to compare the results while wearing static AFO and articulated AFO and analyzed using SPSS version 21. T-test was used to see difference between groups with p-value <0.05 considered significant. Results: Articulated AFO is significantly (p<0.001) better than rigid AFO in terms of step length, stride time, and cadence. Articulated AFO is significantly better at initial contact (p<0.001), mid stance (Hip p=0.006, Knee & ankle p<0.001) and terminal stance (p<0.001) than rigid AFO. For Initial Swing, there was a significant (p<0001) difference between AFOs for extension at knee and ankle joint. At mid-swing articulated AFO provided significantly (p<0.001) better flexion at hip and knee joint. At terminal swing articulated AFO provided significantly (p<0.001) better flexion at the hip and required extension at the knee. Conclusions: This study identified Articulated AFO was superior to rigid AFO in improving functional mobility and gait consistency & lowering the risk of falling. Articulated AFOs were significantly better in terms of step length, stride time, and cadence.

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