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The effects of fixed and articulated ankle-foot orthoses on gait patterns in subjects with cerebral palsy
Rethlefsen S, Kay R, Dennis S, Forstein M, Tolo V
Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 1999 Jul-Aug;19(4):470-474
clinical trial
4/10 [Eligibility criteria: No; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: No; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

Twenty-one subjects with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy were studied to quantify the effects of fixed and articulated ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) on gait and delineate criteria for their use. Children underwent gait analysis under three conditions, fixed AFOs (FAFOs), articulated AFOs (AAFOs), and shoes alone. Greater dorsiflexion occurred at initial contact with both FAFOs 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 strength was positively related to knee extension during stance. No relationships were found between dorsiflexion range of motion, calf spasticity and strength, and peak dorsiflexion during stance. AAFOs are appropriate for subjects with varying degrees of calf spasticity, as long as adequate passive range of motion is available. These findings can be applied primarily to children who do not have a preexisting tendency to crouch.
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