Prototype and evaluation of shoehorn-type ankle-foot orthosis with T-strap

Abstract

In orthotic therapy for strokes, the shoehorn brace (SHB) is the most frequently prescribed orthosis in Japan. However, in the case of severe varus of the ankle joint, SHB does not provide sufficient corrective force. Therefore, a T-strap is used with an ankle-foot orthosis with metal support. According to the results of a questionnaire survey of users of ankle-foot orthosis for stroke, users had lower satisfaction with the appearance of ankle-foot orthosis with metal support compared to SHB. This study aimed to expand the range of indications of SHB widely used for stroke therapy now, by fabricating and evaluating a prototype of a T-strap for SHB that can be used even by users with severe ankle varus. A conventionally fabricated SHB or an SHB with T-strap was worn on a healthy subject, and the ankle joint angle was measured while the ankle joint was supinated. The results showed a decrease in the supination angle of the ankle joint when the SHB with T-strap was worn compared to the conventional SHB.