Article

Compared to able-bodied subjects, subjects with post-polio syndrome
and poliomyelitis demonstrate a preference for weight-bearing on the non-paretic
limb, causing gait asymmetry. The purpose of this study was to
evaluate the gait symmetry of the poliomyelitis subjects when ambulating with
either a drop-locked knee-ankle-foot orthosis or a newly developed powered
knee-ankle-foot orthosis.
STUDY DESIGN: Quasi experimental study.
METHODS: Seven subjects with poliomyelitis who routinely wore conventional knee-ankle-foot
orthoses participated in this study and received training to enable them to
ambulate with the powered knee-ankle-foot orthosis on level ground, prior to gait
analysis. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the gait symmetry
index of step length (p = 0.085), stance time (p = 0.082), double-limb support
time (p = 0.929), or speed of walking (p = 0.325) between the two test
conditions. However, using the new powered knee-ankle-foot orthosis improved the
symmetry index in step width (p = 0.037), swing time (p = 0.014), stance phase
percentage (p = 0.008), and knee flexion during swing phase (p 0.001) compared to
wearing the drop-locked knee-ankle-foot orthosis. CONCLUSION: The use of a
powered knee-ankle-foot orthosis for ambulation by poliomyelitis subjects affects
gait symmetry in the base of support, swing time, stance phase percentage, and
knee flexion during swing phase. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A new powered
knee-ankle-foot orthosis can improve gait symmetry for poliomyelitis subjects by
influencing step width, swing time, stance time percentage, and knee flexion
during swing phase when compared to ambulating with a drop-locked knee-ankle-foot
orthosis.
CI - (c) The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2015.

Langue : ANGLAIS