Comparison the effect of kinetic parameters of innovative storing-restoring hybrid passive (comfort gait) ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) with posterior leaf spring AFO in drop-foot patients: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background: Drop-foot syndrome is a disorder in which the dorsiflexor muscles are weakened or completely paralyzed, leading to foot slapping after the initial contact and foot-dragging during the swing phase. Passive and hybrid passive ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are often prescribed as an intervention for this disorder; however, the effects of these AFOs on kinetic parameters during the gait of drop-foot patients seem unclear. This study aimed to compare the affected lower limb joints of ankle, knee, and hip kinetics parameters (moments and powers) during walking in drop-foot patients using an innovative AFO storing-restoring hybrid passive AFO, named “Comfort Gait” and posterior leaf spring (PLS) AFO. Methods: Ten drop-foot patients were recruited in the current study to walk at a comfortable self-selected speed while wearing two different AFO selections. Kinetic parameters with a motion capture system were obtained for these patients. Results: The results of this study revealed a significant increase in the peak values of kinetic parameters of the lower limb of the affected side (ankle, knee, and hip moments and powers) with the innovative designed AFO when compared to PLS AFO (P<0.05). Conclusions: The significant increase of kinetic parameters in drop foot with use of the Comfort Gait as compared to the PLS AFO might suggest the effectiveness of this innovative AFO in improving the gait of foot drop patients more than the use of PLS AFO. Level of Evidence: Level II