PURPOSE Functional electrical stimulation (FES), for dropped foot, has been shown to have positive benefits in chronic stroke. It has been suggested that similar benefits may be seen earlier after stroke. The aim of this feasibility study was to evaluate the trial methodology of undertaking a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of FES in sub-acute stroke. METHOD This was a randomized feasibilit...

BACKGROUND This report illustrates the use of pressure for scar management to aid in foot re-shaping following a surgical intervention to repair an arterio-venous (AV) malformation. METHODS This report describes the rehabilitation of a 13-year-old girl after surgical reconstruction of a defect in her left foot following the removal of an AV malformation. Early surgical attempts to repair the ...

Innovative technological advancements in the field of orthotics, such as portable powered orthotic systems, could create new treatment modalities to improve the functional out come of rehabilitation. In this article, we present a novel portable powered ankle-foot orthosis (PPAFO) to provide untethered assistance during gait. The PPAFO provides both plantar flexor and dorsiflexor torque assistan...

The following review examines the walking patterns of patients who have hemiplegia, primarily as a result of a stroke. Attention is given to the changes in the distance and temporal factors of walking, phasic patterns and joint ranges of motion throughout the walking cycle, the ground reaction forces, joint moments of force, joint powers, energy expenditure, and muscle activation patterns. The ...

Cerebral palsy is caused by a static lesion to the cerebral motor cortex that is acquired before, at, or within 5 years of birth. Multiple causes for the condition exist and include cerebral anoxia, cerebral hemorrhage, infection, and genetic syndromes. Cerebral palsy is commonly classified according to the type of movement problem that is present (spastic or athetoid) or according to the body ...

BACKGROUND The Root model of normal and abnormal foot function remains the basis for clinical foot orthotic practice globally. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between foot deformities and kinematic compensations that are the foundations of the model. METHODS A convenience sample of 140 were screened and 100 symptom free participants aged 18-45 years were invited to participate. Th...

Objective.  To assess the orthotic effect of a functional electrical stimulation device (Akita Heel Sensor System; AHSS) in the treatment of hemiplegic gait with foot drop. Materials and Methods.  In the AHSS, a heel sensor is attached to a small plastic heel brace, and the peroneal nerve is stimulated via percutaneous intramuscular electrodes. During the swing phase of the hemiplegic gait, the...

The biomechanical effectiveness of a valgus-inducing knee brace was investigated for 16 patients with knee osteoarthritis (mean +/- standard deviation age 56 +/- 10 yr, height 172 +/- 9 cm, mass 83 +/- 7 kg, body mass index 27.6 +/- 4.5 kg/m(2)). At the time of investigation, all subjects had been wearing the brace for at least 4 weeks. In addition to conducting standard gait analysis, we calcu...

BACKGROUND The use of knee-ankle-foot orthoses with drop locked knee joints produces some limitations for walking in subjects with quadriceps muscle weakness. The development of stance control orthoses can potentially improve their functionality. OBJECTIVES The aim of this review was to compare the evidence of the effect of stance control orthoses to knee-ankle-foot orthoses with drop locked ...

Non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in female athletes remain prevalent. Athletes with excessive foot pronation have been identified to be at greater risk for non-contact ACL injury. Excessive foot pronation has been linked to increased medial tibial rotation. Increased medial tibial rotation heightens ACL strain and has been observed at or near the time of ACL injury. Foot or...