P 172 - Pre-compressing springs in orthotic ankle joints enhance the effect of a dynamic dorsiflexion stop on patients with weak plantar flexors

Lower limb orthoses with a defined dorsiflexion stop can restore gait symmetry and improve important gait parameters in patients with weak plantar flexors [1]. Modern commercial ankle joints allow motion in plantarflexion as well as in dorsiflexion. In that way, the muscular dynamics of late stance can be used to come closer to a physiological gait. Accordingly, for an effective dorsiflexion stop, the dorsiflexion resistance exerted by the ventral spring unit must be sufficient to activate the forefoot lever from the neutral alignment of the orthosis to a dorsiflexion of 5 °.

Source: Gait and Posture - July 26, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: D. Sabbagh, J. Fior, R. Gentz Tags: Short communication Source Type: research