Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2013, Vol. 17 ›› Issue (30): 5551-5556.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2013.30.021

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Early application of front-ankle-foot orthosis affects the walking ability and speed of the patients with hemiplegia after stroke

Shen Xuan-lin, Qian Yi-fei, Zhang Jie   

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changshu No. 2 People’s Hosiptal, Changshu  215500, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Received:2013-01-21 Revised:2013-06-09 Online:2013-07-23 Published:2013-07-23
  • Contact: Shen Xuan-lin, Master, Attending physician, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changshu No. 2 People’s Hosiptal, Changshu 215500, Jiangsu Province, China sxl1977@sohu.com
  • About author:Shen Xuan-lin★, Master, Attending physician, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Changshu No. 2 People’s Hosiptal, Changshu 215500, Jiangsu Province, China sxl1977@sohu.com
  • Supported by:

    The 22nd Science and Technology Development (Social Development) Planning Project of Suzhou in 2009*; Science and Technology Development (Social Development) Planning Project of Changshu Municipal Science and Technology Bureau in 2009*; Scientific Research Planning Project of Changshu Municipal Science and Technology Bureau in 2009*

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Most of the traumatic brain injury and stroke survivors have foot drop and varus deformity, that need to be treated with ankle-foot orthosis.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the advantages and effect of early application of front-ankle-foot orthosis on the walking function of the patients with hemiplegia after stroke.
METHODS: The clinical data of 54 patients with hemiplegia after stroke treated in the Changshu No. 2 People’s Hospital from June 2008 to October 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients treated with front-ankle-foot orthosis were the front group (n=28), and the patients treated with rear-ankle-foot orthosis were the rear group (n=26). All the patients received 10 m maximum walking speed test, and the recovery of walking function of the patients in two groups were observed daily.
RESUTLS AND CONCLUSION: There were no patients exited and dead in the observation period. The activities of daily living Barthel index in the front-ankle-foot orthoses group (60.0±12.9) was significantly higher than that  in the rear-ankle-foot orthoses group (59.1±10.9), and there was no significant difference in the activities of daily living Barthel index between two groups (P > 0.05). For the 10 m maximum walking speed test, the walking speed of (39.6±11.6) m/min in the front-ankle-foot orthosis group was significantly faster than that of (33.0±12.4) m/min in the rear-ankle-foot orthosis group (P < 0.05). Front-ankle-foot orthosis is more appropriate for patients with hemiplegia after stroke to improve the walking speed.

Key words: bone and joint implants, academic discussion of bone and joint, ankle-foot orthosis, stroke, hemiplegia, gait analysis, walking function, walking speed, gait stability, walking ability, balance, quality of life

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