Effects of new orthopedic high-waist shoes on preventing foot drop deformity among spinal cord injury patients

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of new orthopedic high-waist shoes on preventing foot drop deformity among spinal cord injury patients with lower limb paralysis. Methods From April 2016 to January 2018, we selected a total of 44 spinal cord injury patients with paralysis. All of the patients were divided into experimental group and control group according to the order of admission and random number sampling approaches. Patients of experimental group wore new orthopedic high-waist shoes from the first day after admission, while patients of control group used the square soft pillow in foot. We compared the incidence of foot drop deformity among patients two weeks after admission. Results The incidences of foot drop deformity, pressure injury on foot as well as strephenopodia of patients in experimental group and control group were 18.2% vs. 40.9%, 4.5% vs. 18.2% as well as 27.3% vs. 59.1% respectively with statistical differences (P<0.05) . Conclusions Early use of new orthopedic high-waist shoes can effectively prevent foot drop, protect function of ankle joint and promote the rehabilitation of neuromuscular function in limb among spinal cord injury patients with paralysis. Key words: Innovation promotion; Spinal cord injuries; Paraplegia; Rehabilitation nursing; Foot drop; Orthopedic high-waist shoes