Article

Traumatic knee injuries in automobile accidents and sports often lead to damage
of the peroneal nerve. A lack of control of muscles innervated by the peroneal
nerve due to this damage, results in the inability to dorsiflex and evert the
foot and to extend the toes.
This condition is commonly known as foot drop. Foot
drop reduces the stability in the body while walking and running and may also
cause injury due to lack of foot clearance during the swing phase of the gait.
Traditionally, an ankle foot orthosis (AFO), comprised of a moulded sheet of
plastic that conforms around the posterior calf and distally contains all or part
of the calcaneous as well as the plantar foot, is used to treat foot drop. The
intent of this orthosis is to dorsiflex the foot to provide clearance during the
swing phase of walking and running. Traditional AFO results in increased
pressures due to a decrease in dorsiflexion range of motion at the ankle and make
the orthosis increasingly uncomfortable to wear. Several other existing designs
of foot drop AFO suffer from similar inadequacies. To address these issues, a new
AFO was developed. The device was successfully used by one person with foot drop
without issues for more than one year. This new design conforms to the lower
anterior shin and dorsum of the foot using dorsiassist Tamarack ankle joints to
allow for greater plantar and dorsiflexion range of motion. While still limiting
ankle inversion it does allow for more ankle eversion.
This orthosis can be
discretely worn inside shoes due to its smaller size, and can be worn for a
longer period of time without discomfort.

Langue : ANGLAIS