Evaluation of effect of ankle-foot orthosis use on strength restoration ofparetic dorsiflexors

Objective: To assess whether a difference exists in restoration of strength between patients with a recent paresis of the dorsiflexors of the ankle us ing an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) and patients without an AFO. Design: Prospective case-control study. Setting: Patients from regional hospitals, tested in a rehabilitation resea rch center. Participants: Twenty-nine patients with a recent (6wk-1yr) peripheral pares is, alternately assigned to a group using an AFO or a control group. There was no significant difference in duration of the paresis and in torque at e ntering the study (T0) between the 2 groups. Interventions: The use of an a nkle-foot orthosis. Main Outcome Measures: Isometric torque production of ankle dorsiflexors, e xpressed as ratio of paretic and healthy side, in 2 measurement sessions, o ver a period of 6 weeks (T0-T6) with the ankle in 0 degrees and 30 degrees plantarflexion. Results: Both groups had significant restoration of strength +/-: standard deviation between T0 and T6 in 30 degrees flexion: non-AFO group 17% +/- 15 %, AFO group 9% +/- 12%. No significant difference existed between the 2 gr oups (30 degrees; p = .56). No significant shift in strength ratio 0 degree s :30 degrees occurred (AFO group P = .82) Conclusion: The use of an orthosis does not influence restoration of streng th in patients with a recent peripheral paresis of the ankle dorsiflexors.