The effects of fixed and articulated ankle-foot orthoses on gait patterns in subjects with cerebral palsy

Twenty-one subjects with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy were studied to qu antify the effects of fixed and articulated ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) on g ait and delineate criteria for their use. Children underwent gait analysis under three conditions, fixed AFOs (FAFOs), articulated AFOs (AAFOs), and s hoes alone. Greater dorsiflexion occurred at initial contact with both FAFO s and AAFOs than shoes alone. Dorsiflexion at terminal stance was,greatest in AAFOs. Plantarflexor power generation at preswing was preserved in AAFOs . No differences were found in knee position during stance. Knee-extensor s trength was positively related to knee extension during stance. No relation ships were found between dorsiflexion range of motion, calf spasticity and strength, and peak dorsiflexion during stance. AAFOs are appropriate for su bjects with varying degrees of calf spasticity, as long as adequate passive range of motion is available. These findings can be applied primarily to c hildren who do not have a preexisting tendency to crouch.