Article

Mechanical orthoses are used for standing and walking after
neurological injury. Most orthoses such as the advanced reciprocating gait
orthosis typically use solid ankle-foot orthoses. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this
study was to test the effects of ankle dorsiflexion assistance in patients with
spinal cord injury when ambulating with an advanced reciprocating gait orthosis
compared to walking with fixed ankles. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi-experimental. METHODS:
Four patients with spinal cord injury were fitted with an advanced reciprocating
gait orthosis equipped with solid and dorsiflexion assist-type ankle-foot
orthoses and walked at their self-selected speed. Joint angles and
spatial-temporal parameters were measured and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean walking
speed and stride length were both significantly increased along with cadence by
the volunteer subjects when ambulating using the advanced reciprocating gait
orthosis fitted with dorsiflexion assist ankle-foot orthoses compared to the
advanced reciprocating gait orthosis with solid ankle-foot orthoses. The mean
ankle joint ranges of motion were significantly increased when walking with the
advanced reciprocating gait orthosis with dorsiflexion assist ankle-foot orthoses
compared to when using the advanced reciprocating gait orthosis with the solid
ankle-foot orthoses. Knee joint ranges of motion were reduced, and hip joint
ranges of motion were increased but not significantly. CONCLUSION: The advanced
reciprocating gait orthosis fitted with the dorsiflexion assist ankle-foot
orthoses had the effect of improving gait parameters when compared to the
advanced reciprocating gait orthosis with solid ankle-foot orthoses. Clinical
relevance The advanced reciprocating gait orthosis with dorsiflexion assist
ankle-foot orthoses has the potential to improve hip and ankle joint kinematics
and the temporal-spatial parameters of gait in spinal cord injury patients'
walking.

Langue : ANGLAIS