Abstract
[Purpose] Aiming to improve the gait of spina bifida sufferers, we examined the effect of an ankle-foot orthosis with a double-braking function (DB-AFO). [Subjects] The subjects were two consenting spina bifida (L4~L5) patients. [Method] We performed gait analysis of the subjects with a 3D motion analysis system under 3 conditions, without orthosis, with AFO, and with DB-AFO, and compared the computed parameters among the conditions. [Results] With DB-AFO, center of gravity was maintained at the highest position. For Case 1, in the early to mid stance phase, the moment of ankle plantar flexion increased and the knee and hip joint flexion angles decreased. For Case 2, in the late stance phase, the moment of ankle plantar flexion increased, and knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion angles decreased. [Conclusion] We consider the DB-AFO was effective at improving the gait of spina bifida sufferers because it improved the flexion angles of the lower limbs and elicited a high center of gravity.
