Abstract
In an evidence-based rehabilitation context, establishment of a new ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) design method is required to make each user obtain a mechanically appropriate AFO which fits to the individual physical condition. In this article, we constructed a three dimensional neuro-musculo-skeletal model for walking simulation of a person with hemiplegia and generated gait patterns with or without AFO. Circumductive motion of the affected lower limb was observed at without-AFO condition, however the maximum magnitude of the compensatory movements were significantly reduced at AFO wearing conditions. Among four stiffness conditions of AFO, which caused different plantar flexion stiffness around ankle joint, energy consumption rate did not indicate significant differences, while the external rotation angle immediate after heel contact increased with gain in the plantar flexion stiffness of AFO. This result indicates the possibility to infer effects of AFO characteristics to wearers' gait prior to clinical trials.
