Clinical Applications of Flexible Ankle Foot Orthosis (Hiflex Foot Gear; HFG) in Patients with Neuromuscular Disease

Abstract

This paper reports the clinical usage of Hiflex Foot Gear (HFG) for patients with neuromuscular disease. The questionnaire was answered by 25 out of 36 patients for whom HFG had been prescribed. Improvement of stability in level walking, stair climbing and steep walking was indicated by 78%, 65% and 48% of the patients, respectively. The effects of HFG on walking pattern were evident in toe clearance and stability of the ankle joint. Although there were some problems in attending the use of HFG, the present results appear to justify its clinical use.