Effects of Articulated & Static Ankle Foot Orthotics on Gait Kinematics: Foot Drop Patients Perspective

Foot drop is a common occurrence following stroke. Ankle foot orthotics (AFO) are used to correct drop foot deformity with several AFOs available to choose from. Literature suggests research on the impact of articulated AFO on gait. Objective: To determine the impact of static/ rigid and articulated AFO on gait kinematics in foot drop cases. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 100 unilateral drop foot cases from the PIPOS Rehabilitation Services Program from September 2019 to February 2020. The sample included both genders aged 2-15 years. Gait Lab data were used to compare the results while wearing static AFO and articulated AFO and analyzed using SPSS version 21. T-test was used to see difference between groups with p-value <0.05 considered significant. Results: Articulated AFO is significantly (p<0.001) better than rigid AFO in terms of step length, stride time, and cadence. Articulated AFO is significantly better at initial contact (p<0.001), mid stance (Hip p=0.006, Knee & ankle p<0.001) and terminal stance (p<0.001) than rigid AFO. For Initial Swing, there was a significant (p<0001) difference between AFOs for extension at knee and ankle joint. At mid-swing articulated AFO provided significantly (p<0.001) better flexion at hip and knee joint. At terminal swing articulated AFO provided significantly (p<0.001) better flexion at the hip and required extension at the knee. Conclusions: This study identified Articulated AFO was superior to rigid AFO in improving functional mobility and gait consistency & lowering the risk of falling. Articulated AFOs were significantly better in terms of step length, stride time, and cadence.