Article

Misaligning the mechanical axes of Ankle-Foot Orthoses with
the ankle axis may lead to tissue damage, reduced gait efficiency, and mechanical
wear on the orthosis. Previous models developed to describe the consequences of
joint misalignments have only been applied to the sagittal plane. In this study,
a previously developed three-dimensional model of the Ankle-Foot Orthosis/leg
system was used to determine the effects of misalignments in the frontal and
transverse planes and how they interact with misalignments in the sagittal plane.
TECHNIQUE: The motion of two corresponding points on the leg and Ankle-Foot
Orthosis was calculated for different binary combinations of translational and
rotational misalignments of the mechanical axis, and the resulting displacements
between those points recorded. DISCUSSION: Misaligning the mechanical joint axis
of the Ankle-Foot Orthosis in the transverse plane led to much greater
displacements than other misalignments. Results from the model suggest the
importance of prioritizing transverse plane alignment by appropriately accounting
for tibial rotation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Misalignments in the transverse plane
had a dominating effect on relative motion between the Ankle-Foot Orthosis and
leg emphasizing the importance of including the third dimension in the model and
prioritizing accuracy of alignment in the transverse plane.
CI - (c) The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2014.

Langue : ANGLAIS