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Interacting effects of AFO stiffness, neutral angle and footplate stiffness on gait in case of plantarflexor weakness
A predictive simulation study
To maximize effects of dorsal leaf ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) on gait in people with bilateral plantarflexor weakness, the AFO properties should be matched to the individual. However, how AFO properties interact regarding their effect on gait function is unknown. We studied th ...
Background: The stiffness of a dorsal leaf AFO that minimizes walking energy cost in people with plantarflexor weakness varies between individuals. Using predictive simulations, we studied the effects of plantarflexor weakness, passive plantarflexor stiffness, body mass, and w ...
Background: In individuals with unilateral plantar flexor weakness, the second peak of the vertical ground reaction force (GRF) is decreased. This leads to a higher ground reaction force, e.g. impact, of the contralateral leg, potentially explaining quadriceps muscle and/or kn ...
Background: In people with calf muscle weakness, the stiffness of dorsal leaf spring ankle–foot orthoses (DLS-AFO) needs to be individualized to maximize its effect on walking. Orthotic suppliers may recommend a certain stiffness based on body weight and activity level. Howeve ...
Background: Bilateral plantarflexor muscle weakness is a common impairment in many neuromuscular diseases. However, the way in which severity of plantarflexor weakness affects gait in terms of walking energy cost and speed is not fully understood. Predictive simulations are an ...
Objective: To describe the orthotic properties and evaluate the effects of ankle-foot orthoses for calf muscle weakness in persons with non-spastic neuromuscular disorders compared with shoes-only. Design: Cross-sectional study. Subjects: Thirty-four persons who used ankle-foo ...
Stiffness-Optimized Ankle-Foot Orthoses Improve Walking Energy Cost Compared to Conventional Orthoses in Neuromuscular Disorders
A Prospective Uncontrolled Intervention Study
In persons with calf muscle weakness, walking energy cost is commonly increased due to persistent knee flexion and a diminished push-off. Provided ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) usually lower walking energy cost. To maximize the reduction in energy cost, AFO bending stiffness shou ...
Modifying ankle foot orthosis stiffness in patients with calf muscle weakness
Gait responses on group and individual level
BACKGROUND: To improve gait, persons with calf muscle weakness can be provided with a dorsal leaf spring ankle foot orthosis (DLS-AFO). These AFOs can store energy during stance and return this energy during push-off, which, in turn, reduces walking energy cost. Simulations in ...
Background: Patients with calf muscle weakness due to neuromuscular disorders have a reduced ankle push-off work, which leads to increased energy dissipation at contralateral heel-strike. Consequently, compensatory positive work needs to be generated, which is mechanically les ...
Precision orthotics
Optimising ankle foot orthoses to improve gait in patients with neuromuscular diseases; Protocol of the PROOF-AFO study, a prospective intervention study
Introduction: In patients with neuromuscular disorders and subsequent calf muscle weakness, metabolic walking energy cost (EC) is nearly always increased, which may restrict walking activity in daily life. To reduce walking EC, a spring-like ankle-footorthosis (AFO) can be pre ...