BACKGROUND: The traditional ankle-foot orthosis focuses on the protection, correction, stability, and compensation; therefore, it is important to explore a new rehabilitation method for ankle joint dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of computer-aided movable and measurable ankle-foot orthosis that designed by the Department of Rehabilitation in Longgang Central Hospital of Shenzhen on postoperative dysfunction after ankle fracture.
METHODS: Fifty-two patients with ankle fractures at 3 weeks after internal fixation were selected and equivalently randomized into two groups. Both groups received conventional oral medication and rehabilitation therapy. In addition, the patients in control group were given joint mobilization treatment, while those in experimental group were given computer-aided movable and measurable of ankle-foot orthosis, 20 minutes daily, 6 days weekly for consecutive 4 weeks. The efficacy was evaluated by muscle strength, active range of motion, Kofoed ankle score and visual analogue scale on computer at baseline, 7, 14, and 28 days after training.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) There were no significant differences in baseline data and ankle function scores between two groups before training (
P > 0.05), and all above indicators were significantly improved in both two groups at 4 weeks after training (
P < 0.05). (2) Compared with the control group, the muscle strength, Kofoed ankle score and visual analogue scale scores on computer in the experimental group were significantly improved at 7, 14 and 28 days after training (
P < 0.05). (3) The active plantar flexion angle in the experimental group was significantly larger than that in the control group at 28 days after training (
P < 0.05).The active plantar flexion and dorsiflexion angles at 7 and 14 days after training, and active dorsiflexion angle at 28 days after training did not differ significantly between two groups (
P > 0.05). To conclude, the unique ankle-foot orthosis can reduce postoperative pain, enhance muscle strength and improve ankle mobility after ankle fracture.
中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点:人工关节;骨植入物;脊柱;骨折;内固定;数字化骨科;组织工程