Saeedi Hasan, Pourhoseingholi Ensieh
Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Orthotics & Prosthetics, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
J Biomed Phys Eng. 2023 Aug 1;13(4):377-382. doi: 10.31661/jbpe.v0i0.2005-1121. eCollection 2023 Aug.
Passive and hybrid passive Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are the prevalent prescription in drop foot patients to prevent toe dragging during the swing phase. While, these AFOs have some limitations like inability to overcome foot slap, limitation in forward propulsion and inappropriate power generate at the push off. The aim of this study was to design a novel spring damper and evaluate the immediate effects of this AFO on improving the ankle kinetic and kinematic in drop foot patients. This AFO was generated from carbon composite frame and foot section with posterior hinge and spring damper actuator that controlled plantar flexion resistance at the early stance, freely dorsi flexion movement with the ability to store energy during mid-stance movement as well as restore this energy at the pre swing phase. This AFO was assessed on ten drop foot patients who used Posterior Leaf Spring AFO conditions and walked at their self-comfortable walking speed. Then the ankle kinetic and kinematic data in two conditions of with PLS (Posterior Leaf Spring) AFO, and novel spring damper AFO were assessed. Results showed a significant improve in the immediate effect of the kinetic and kinematic parameters. In conclusion, spring damper AFO improved all ankle angles in entire gait cycle as well as the ankle moments and power. Therefore, this AFO should be consider as a selective AFO in drop foot patients.
被动式和混合被动式踝足矫形器（AFO）是足下垂患者中常用的处方，用于防止摆动期拖趾。然而，这些AFO存在一些局限性，如无法克服足拍击、向前推进受限以及蹬离时产生的动力不合适。本研究的目的是设计一种新型弹簧阻尼器，并评估该AFO对改善足下垂患者踝关节动力学和运动学的即时效果。这种AFO由碳复合材料框架和足部组成，带有后铰链和弹簧阻尼器致动器，可在站立初期控制跖屈阻力，在中期站立运动时自由背屈并储存能量，并在摆动前期恢复该能量。对10名使用后叶弹簧AFO的足下垂患者进行了评估，他们以自己舒适的步行速度行走。然后评估了使用后叶弹簧（PLS）AFO和新型弹簧阻尼器AFO两种情况下的踝关节动力学和运动学数据。结果显示，动力学和运动学参数的即时效果有显著改善。总之，弹簧阻尼器AFO在整个步态周期中改善了所有踝关节角度以及踝关节力矩和功率。因此，这种AFO应被视为足下垂患者的一种选择性AFO。
