Original Research Article
Year: 2022 | Month: October | Volume: 12 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 30-37
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20221004
A Comparative Study of the Performance of Solid AFO Vis-À-Vis Dynamic AFO in Hemiplegic Patients
Priyadarsini Monalisha Dash1, Manoj Kumar Tiwari2, Deepak P. Prabhu3
1Department of Prosthetics & Orthotics, SVNIRTAR, Cuttack, India
2Department of Prosthetics & Orthotics, All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mumbai, India
3Department of Prosthetics & Orthotics, All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mumbai, India
Corresponding Author: Manoj Kumar Tiwari
ABSTRACT
Background and purpose: Ankle foot orthosis (AFO) has been used for hemiplegic patients for several eras to provide plantarflexion resistance during the stance phase of the gait and prevent the toe dragging in the swing phase of the gait cycle. The biomechanical efficacy of these devices positively affects hemiplegic patients, but there is a lack of clinical evidence in the Indian population regarding prescription criteria. This study compared the functional efficacy of solid AFO and dynamic AFO to provide a biomechanically sound prescription of an AFO for hemiplegic patients.
Methodology: Within the limits of inclusion criteria mentioned in the research protocol, ten patients were fitted and trained with solid Ankle Foot Orthosis (SAFO) and Dynamic Ankle Foot Orthosis (DAFO) with a specific period gap. The 30-meter walkway test measured temporospatial parameters and energy expenditure by calculating the physiological cost index (PCI) and analyzed it by Student T-Test.
Results: In this study, all the temporospatial parameters with the dynamic AFO provided increased spatiotemporal gait parameters than the solid AFO. Energy expenditure was also high in solid AFO rather than dynamic AFO.
Conclusion: This study helped in prescribing a biomechanically sound orthotic management which will help to arrest the growth of the deformity and reduce the number of patients requiring invasive treatment methods. The hemiplegic population primarily benefited from the DAFO because it provides more stability, less energy consumption, and a near-to-normal gait pattern compared to SAFO.
Key words: Hemiplegic patient, solid Ankle Foot Orthosis (SAFO), dynamic Ankle Foot Orthosis (DAFO), Temporospatial Parameters, Physiologic Cost Index (PCI)