Abstract
Carbon fiber Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) are widely used to help walking the patients having so called foot drop or similar diseases or just to improve walking performance. AFO’s general and its footplate stiffness’s have the most effect on their functionality, however usually the whole AFO’s rigidity is taken into account. The article describes the results of experimental investigation of the general and local stiffness of five different manufacturers carbon fiber AFO’s footplates toe and heel ends. It is shown that the near same size AFO’s footplates toe end different zones stiffness may differ from 2 to 3 times and heel end stiffness even by 7 times, what would definitely have significant effect on the patient’s gait parameters. Thus when designing and manufacturing AFO’s dedicated to particular patient it is necessary to evaluate not only the general rigidity of the whole AFO, but also its footplate stiffness. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.mech.23.6.16901
Highlights
One of the most important features to ensure person’s socialization is the ability to walk
Orthoses (AFO – ankle foot orthoses, or foot-drop braces) [3, 4] are quite widely used besides the surgical and medical treatment, especially as there are many different designs – rigid and flexible, solid and composed, one or two ankle joint sided, made of metal, plastics or carbon fiber etc
Loading force variation depending on different Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) footplates deflection when measuring their overall stiffness is shown on Fig. 4, a
Summary
One of the most important features to ensure person’s socialization is the ability to walk. It depends on a proper functioning of several systems in human organism, where one of them is the apparatus of movement, namely – lower limbs. Problems may appear in both bones, joints and muscles or even neural system. A quite frequent Foot drop, which is the inability to lift the front part of the foot, causes the toes to drag along the ground while walking. Foot drop may be caused by various reasons: muscle weakness, peripheral nerve problems or neuropathy, brain and spinal cord disorders [1, 2], the treatment methods of the foot drop vary . Orthoses (AFO – ankle foot orthoses, or foot-drop braces) [3, 4] are quite widely used besides the surgical and medical treatment, especially as there are many different designs – rigid and flexible, solid and composed (two parts connected by hinges, being either passive or active; the latter allows the control of mutual position of AFO’s foot and calf parts), one or two ankle joint sided, made of metal, plastics or carbon fiber etc
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
