Article

A dynamic-ankle-foot orthosis has recently emerged and consists of an
elastic band allowing the variation of stiffness degree and adjusts dorsiflexion
assistance in swing.
The aim of this study was to quantify the biomechanical
adaptations induced by this orthosis during gait in hemiplegic patients. METHODS:
Twelve hemiplegic patients performed two gait analyses (without and with the
ankle-foot orthosis). Spatiotemporal, kinematic, kinetic and electromyographic
gait parameters were quantified using an instrumented gait analysis system during
the stance and swing phases. RESULTS: During swing, peak ankle dorsiflexion was
greater with the orthosis and associated with a decrease of pelvic obliquity
angle. In stance, peak ankle plantarflexion and dorsiflexion were greater with
the orthosis and associated with an increase of ankle angle at heel strike and
toe-off. Electromyographic activities of both the tibialis anterior and the
medial gastrocnemius were greater with the orthosis. CONCLUSIONS: This
dynamic-ankle-foot orthosis improved gait in hemiplegic patients with spastic
foot equinus. The spatiotemporal adaptations seem to be caused mainly by the
increase of ankle dorsiflexion during stance and swing phases. The changes in
electromyographic activity were related to an active dorsiflexion in stance and
swing phases and an active plantarflexion in stance phase.

Langue : ANGLAIS