Comparative study of anterior support ankle foot orthosis and posterior ankle foot orthosis in foot drop patients

Harleen Uppal; Gita Handa; U. Singh; Sanjay Wadhwa; S. L. Yadav

doi:10.18203/2349-3933.ijam20195252

Authors

Harleen Uppal Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Gita Handa Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
U. Singh Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Sanjay Wadhwa Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
S. L. Yadav Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3933.ijam20195252

Keywords:

Ankle foot orthosis, Energy consumption, Foot drop, Gait analysis, Metabolic equivalent, Orthotic devices

Abstract

Background: Anterior Support Ankle Foot Orthosis (A-AFO) is a fairly recent approach. There is dearth of studies relating to comparison of metabolic efficiency of A-AFO and P-AFO. Objective was to study the efficacy of A-AFO compared to P-AFO in foot drop patients, using gait and metabolic analysis.

Methods: It was a cross over study, included foot drop patients who could walk with/ without orthosis. Patients having spasticity more than grade 2 (Modified Ashworth Scale) were excluded. The metabolic parameters measured were volume of Oxygen consumed at Standard Temperature and Pressure in l/min (VO₂), Dry in l/min, Rate of Oxygen consumption (MET), Volume of Carbon dioxide produced in litre/min (VCO₂). Along with various gait parameters, questionnaire about patient’s preference after 4 weeks was also incorporated.

Results: A-AFO was significantly better than P-AFO in terms of VO₂ and VCO₂ (p value = 0.02 and 0.009 respectively) as well as in terms of subjective preference.

Conclusions: A-AFO is comparable to P-AFO in terms of energy efficiency, gait parameters and subjective preference, hence should also be prescribed.

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