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Effect of ankle-foot orthosis on roll-over shape in adults with hemiplegia

Stefania Fatone, PhD, BPO (Hons); Andrew H. Hanson, PhD

Figure 1. Custom, thermoplastic, articulated ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) with 90 degree plantar flexion stop, free dorsiflexion, and full-length foot plate received by all subjects.

We investigated the effect of an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) on roll-over shape (ROS) in adults with hemiplegia following stroke. Changes that lead to improved ankle-foot kinematics may result in a more biometric ROS. The AFO we tested significantly improved ROS compared with no AFO, in particular increasing arc radius and length (two ROS characteristics), but did not completely normalize it for subjects, since the first contact point (between the foot and the floor) with respect to the ankle center was further posterior than normal. For hemiplegic subjects, using an AFO may increase center of pressure excursion and also improve ROS, i.e., make it more closely resemble that of nondisabled subjects.


Volume 44 Number 1, 2007
Pages 11 — 20

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