Abstract
Prevention of foot dragging in the swing phase is one of the roles of ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) for the hemiplegic patient. We devised a measurement AFO that can measure the adequate dorsiflexion assist strength during the swing phase of the walk of the stroke patient according to the pathology. The measurement AFO is a plastic AFO with an ankle joint. Adequate dorsiflexion assist strength is produced by rubber bands. The adjustment of dorsiflexion assist strength is performed by choosing the position of hang nails that have been installed in the measurement AFO and the number of rubber bands attached to them. The measurement procedure was as follows : first, at the beginning confirmation of dragging of the foot in barefoot walking ; second, adjustment to adequate dorsiflexion assist strength such that dragging during walking was eliminated by the measurement AFO ; third, measurement of the dorsiflexion assist strength by the instrument ; and finally, observation of the walking exercises with the hospital-selected AFO, which is similar to the measured value. In addition, the measured value should be reflected in the AFO to own to prescribe. The indication for this procedure is the case with foot drag in the swing phase of the walk and no talipes equinus deformity.
