CHICAGO — Adjusting the mechanical properties, alignment, plantar flexion and dorsiflexion resistance of a novel ankle-foot orthosis improved hemiparetic gait in a patient with stroke, according to data presented at the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium, here.
“The importance of adjusting the mechanical properties of [ankle-foot orthoses] AFOs to optimize gait in individuals with stroke has been recognized by researchers and clinicians,” Nicholas A. LeCursi, CO, of Becker Orthopedic, said. “Our study presents the mechanical properties of a novel articulated AFO with independently adjustable plantar flexion resistance, dorsiflexion resistance [and] alignment and the effects on ankle and knee joint angles, moments and power in chronic stroke.”
The pilot study followed one 50-year-old woman as a part of a multi-patient study. The patient was fitted with a custom polymer AFO with Triple Action ankle joints and a full footplate with intrinsics to resist mild pronation. Standard resistance springs were installed in the plantar flexion resist channels and mechanical characteristics were tested at 12 different ankle joint settings. Researchers optimized mechanical characteristics of the AFO to improve standing balance, foot position, gait symmetry and toe clearance in swing.
The patient walked on a Bertec split belt-instrumented treadmill at a self-selected speed of 0.36 meters per second using the 12 AFO stiffness and alignment settings. A total of 10 Vicon motion capture systems were used to observe gait.
According to LeCursi, ankle angles and moments were more responsive to changes in plantar flexion resist, dorsiflexion resist and alignment. First rocker was more normal when plantar flexion resistance and alignment were changed toward dorsiflexion. In addition, plantar flexion resist and alignment may have impacted optimization of first rocker, LeCursi said. However, selection of standard assistance plantar flexion springs may have impacted the results.
“We also found that foot position at initial contact improved with higher plantar flexion resist settings. Though, a lower plantar flexion resist setting was selected as optimal,” LeCursi said. “Kinetic data showed that this plantar flexion resist setting [was] minimized in the knee moment.”
According to the findings, knee angle and moment were systematically responsive to dorsiflexion resistance and alignment of the AFO. The knee moment appeared more responsive than the angle to changes in AFO dorsiflexion resist settings.
“These results suggest the benefit of both kinematic and kinetic measurements and the AFO optimization process. Patient preference and comfort may also be a contributing factor in AFO tuning,” LeCursi added. “The ability to independently adjust plantar flexion resistance, dorsiflexion resistance and alignment in the clinical setting is advantageous, and the benefits of tuning AFO mechanical properties warrant further studies on larger patient populations.” – by Shawn M. Carter
Reference:
LeCursi NA. Foot Orthosis Plantar Flexion Resistance, Dorsiflexion Resistance and Alignment on Hemiparetic Gait in Stroke. Presented at: American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium; March 1-4, 2017; Chicago.
Disclosure: LeCursi reports he is a member of Becker Orthopedic.
