Article

As orthoses, and particularly ankle-foot orthoses, are widely used in
the management of children with motor disorders, including cerebral palsy, we
aimed to study their effect in normal children in order to add to normative gait
data, which are essential for diagnosing, understanding and treating abnormal
gait patterns. DESIGN: We analyzed the effect of ankle-foot orthoses on classical
gait parameters and lower limb segments coordination patterns in typically
developing children in two age groups reflecting different
neuromaturational/developmental situations. We recorded 3D kinematic gait
patterns in 9 children (4-5 years) and 11 children (9-10 years) walking barefoot
or wearing bilateral solid ankle-foot orthoses maintaining the ankle joint angle
at a neutral position. RESULTS: Ankle-foot orthoses induced little change in
cadence, step length, step width or walking velocity in younger children, though
they altered intralimb coordination through the gait cycle. In older children,
walking velocity was reduced, shank elevation amplitude increased, while lower
limb coordination changed less significantly. In this age group, ankle-foot
orthoses significantly reduced the variability of coordinative strategies.
CONCLUSION: Ankle-foot orthoses affect the gait pattern in children with a
typical development at different levels in younger and older subjects, but the
resulting changes are minimal.

Langue : ANGLAIS