Abstract
In a previous research, the authors designed an articulated plastic ankle foot orthosis with a new mechanism taking into consideration both function and appearance. In the present study, the authors constructed the newly designed orthosis (novel orthosis) and a plastic ankle foot orthosis using a combination of Tamarack ankle joint and Gait Solution ankle joint (Gait Solution orthosis), and performed gait evaluations in a patient with hemiplegia following stroke. Compared with the Gait Solution orthosis, the novel orthosis showed greater dorsiflexion moment (resistance during dorsiflexion), which reduced plantar flexion braking during mid-stance resulting in a significant increase in walking speed. Although the ankle joint of the novel orthosis was sometimes interfered by the stair nose when descending a staircase, no risk of falling by being caught by the stair nose was observed in the present study, because the ankle joint located posteriorly forms a gentle tapering shape toward the upper direction.
