A pilot study to investigate the combined use of Botulinum toxin type-a and ankle foot orthosis for the treatment of spastic foot in chronic hemiplegic patients

Background

Botulinum toxin is commonly used to treat spastic equinus foot. This treatment seems to improve gait in hemiplegic patients when used alone or combined with an ankle-foot orthosis. However, the nature and effects of this improvement have until now rarely been studied. The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of a Botulinum toxin injection in the triceps surae of hemiplegic patients with equinus foot, used either alone or in combination with an ankle-foot orthosis, on the kinematics and dynamics of the paretic lower limb, and to determine the advantage of combining an ankle-foot orthosis with this pharmacological treatment.

Methods

Patients were assessed using gait analysis to measure spatio-temporal, kinematic and dynamic parameters of the gait cycle before Botulinum toxin injection and then 3 and 6 weeks after injection. Eight chronic hemiplegics following central nervous system lesion were included.

Findings

Botulinum toxin injection led to an increase in velocity, peak ankle dorsiflexion during stance phase, and peak knee flexion during swing phase. It also resulted in an increased peak plantarflexion moment. Use of ankle-foot orthosis led to a specific increase in peak ankle dorsiflexion during swing phase and also increased peak plantarflexion moment.

Interpretation

The results indicate that combined Botulinum toxin injection of the triceps surae and wearing an ankle-foot orthosis is more effective than the use of Botulinum toxin only. Use of an ankle-foot orthosis increases ankle dorsiflexion during the swing phase and does not reduce the benefits gained by the use of Botulinum toxin in stance phase.     

Effects of Radial Shockwave Therapy and Orthotics Applied with Physical Training on Motor Function of Children with Spastic Diplegia: A Randomized Trial

Aims: To explore the effects of radial shockwave therapy (rSWT) combined with standard orthotic management (SOM) on spasticity, functional balance, and gait in children with spastic diplegia. Methods: Sixty children with diplegia were allocated to group I (rSWT, n = 20), group II (SOM, n = 20), or group III (rSWT + SOM, n = 20). All groups received a physical training program 3 times/week for 3 months. Assessments were completed before and immediately after the intervention and included the Hoffman reflex/Myogenic response ratio of the soleus muscle (H/M ratio), balance, and gait. Results: At a significance criterion adjusted to p ? .006, there were no between-group differences in balance or gait (p > .006). The rSWT + SOM group had a greater improvement of H/M ratio compared to rSWT alone (p = .001) but not to SOM alone (p = .04). Within-group analysis demonstrated significant improvement of all variables for rSWT + SOM (p ? .006). The H/M ratio and knee midstance angle exhibited clinically meaningful improvement for rSWT alone (p ? .006). No significant changes were observed in any variable for SOM alone (p > .006). Conclusions: Radial shockwave and orthotics together, or either of them along with physical training did not differ in improving balance or gait. Their combination was more effective than rSWT alone in reducing spasticity.     

Ankle-foot orthoses that restrict dorsiflexion improve walking in polio survivors with calf muscle weakness

In polio survivors with calf muscle weakness, dorsiflexion-restricting ankle-foot orthoses (DR-AFOs) aim to improve gait in order to reduce walking-related problems such as instability or increased energy cost. However, evidence on the efficacy of DR-AFOs in polio survivors is lacking. We investigated the effect of DR-AFOs on gait biomechanics, walking energy cost, speed, and perceived waking ability in this patient group.Sixteen polio survivors with calf muscle weakness underwent 3D-gait analyses to assess gait biomechanics when walking with a DR-AFOs and with shoes only. Ambulant registration of gas-exchange during a 6 min walk test determined walking energy cost, and comfortable gait speed was calculated from the walked distance during this test. Perceived walking ability was assessed using purposely-designed questionnaires.Compared with shoes-only, walking with the DR-AFOs significantly increased forward progression of the center of pressure (CoP) in mid-stance and it reduced ankle dorsiflexion and knee flexion in mid- and terminal stance (p < 0.05). Furthermore, walking energy cost was lower (−7%, p = 0.052) and gait speed was higher (p = 0.005). Patients were significantly more satisfied, felt safer, and less exhausted with the DR-AFO, compared to shoes-only (p < 0.05). DR-AFO effects varied largely across patients. Patients who walked with limited forward CoP progression and persisting knee extension during the shoes-only condition seemed to have benefitted least from the DR-AFO.In polio survivors with calf muscle weakness, DR-AFOs improved gait biomechanics, speed, and perceived walking ability, compared to shoes-only. Effects may depend on the shoes-only gait pattern, therefore further study is needed to determine which patients benefit most from the DR-AFO.     

早期使用前置式踝足矫形器脑卒中偏瘫患者的步行能力和速度

背景：脑损伤和脑卒中存活者有相当部分遗留有足下垂内翻畸形,需要借助于踝足矫形器进行治疗。 目的：探讨早期使用前置式踝足矫形器对脑卒中偏瘫患者步行功能的影响及优势。 方法：回顾分析常熟市第二人民医院2008年6月至2009年10月治疗的54例脑卒中偏瘫患者的临床资料,佩戴前置式踝足矫形器为前置组28例和佩戴后置式踝足矫形器为后置组26例。所有患者进行10 m最大步行速度测试,每天观察两组患者步行功能恢复情况。 结果与结论：所有患者在观察期间,无退出及死亡,前置式踝足矫形器组日常生活能力的Barthel指数评分(60.0±12.9)明显高于后置踝足矫形器组日常生活能力的Barthel指数评分(59.1±10.9),但两组间没有显著差异(P > 0.05),在10 m最大步行速度测试中,前置式踝足矫形器组步行速度(39.6±11.6) m/min较后置踝足矫形器组步行速度(33.0±12.4) m/min明显加快(P < 0.05)。说明前置式踝足矫形器更合适用于脑卒中偏瘫患者改善步行速度。     

One clinic's experience with carbon fiber orthoses in neuromuscular disease

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to summarize our experience with off‐the‐shelf anterior shell carbon fiber ankle–foot orthoses (CFAFOs) prescribed to adult neuromuscular patients in an outpatient clinic. Methods: We studied ambulatory patients who were seen in Muscular Dystrophy Association or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinics between 2011 and 2014 and prescribed anterior shell CFAFOs. Charts were reviewed with attention to diagnosis, satisfaction with use, and reasons for acceptance or rejection. We included individuals who were currently using AFOs and those being prescribed AFOs for the first time. We were especially interested in reasons for acceptance or rejection of the orthosis. Results: Two hundred eighty‐three charts were reviewed. Of these, 109 of 123 (89%) patients were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the anterior shell CFAFOs, including 38 who had previously used other styles. Conclusion: Anterior shell CFAFOs should be considered for most neuromuscular patients with distal leg weakness. Muscle Nerve 55 : 202–205, 2017     

Robotic-assisted treadmill therapy improves walking and standing performance in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy

ObjectiveTask-specific body-weight-supported treadmill therapy improves walking performance in children with central gait impairment. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of robotic-assisted treadmill therapy on standing and walking performance in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy and to determine parameters influencing outcome.Methods20 Patients (mean age 11.0 ± 5.1, 10 males and 10 females) with cerebral palsy underwent 12 sessions of robotic-assisted treadmill therapy using the driven gait orthosis Lokomat. Outcome measures were the dimensions D (standing) and E (walking) of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM).ResultsSignificant improvements in dimension D by 5.9% (±5.2, p = 0.001) and dimension E by 5.3% (±5.6, p < 0.001) of the GMFM were achieved. Improvements in the GMFM D and E were significantly greater in the mildly affected cohort (GMFCS I and II) compared to the more severely affected cohort (GMFCS III and IV). Improvement of the dimension E but not of D correlated positively with the total distance and time walked during the trial (r_s = 0.748, p < 0.001).ConclusionsChildren and adolescents with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy showed improvements in the functional tasks of standing and walking after a 3-week trial of robotic-assisted treadmill therapy. The severity of motor impairment affects the amount of the achieved improvement.     

Preliminary kinematic evaluation of a new stance-control knee-ankle-foot orthosis

BACKGROUND: Stance-control knee-ankle-foot orthoses permit free knee motion in swing while providing knee flexion resistance in stance for individuals with quadriceps muscle weakness. However, some stance-control knee-ankle-foot orthoses require full knee extension to engage the knee-joint lock, thereby not providing knee support when climbing stairs or stepping over curbs. Stance-control knee-ankle-foot orthoses that do support a flexed knee are either heavy, bulky, expensive, offer a limited number of locking positions, or cause noise. This paper presents a preliminary kinematic evaluation of a new stance-control knee-ankle-foot orthosis that was designed to address these limitations. METHODS: Kinematic gait analysis was performed on three male knee-ankle-foot-orthosis users with knee extensor weakness in at least one limb (mean age: 56.3 years (SD 4.0)). Three walking trials were performed with the subjects' current knee-ankle-foot-orthosis and then the new stance-control knee-ankle-foot orthosis (non-randomized before-after trial). Subjects completed a questionnaire about the new stance-control knee-ankle-foot orthosis and current knee-ankle-foot-orthosis. FINDINGS: A mean increase in knee flexion of 21.1 degrees (SD 8.2) during swing and a greater total knee range of motion was found when walking with the new stance-control knee-ankle-foot orthosis. Two knee-ankle-foot-orthosis users experienced a reduction in pelvic obliquity and hip abduction angle abnormalities when walking with the stance-control knee-ankle-foot orthosis. Two out of three subjects preferred walking with the new stance-control knee-ankle-foot orthosis over their prescribed knee-ankle-foot-orthosis. INTERPRETATION: The new stance-control knee-ankle-foot orthosis permitted improved gait kinematics for knee-ankle-foot-orthosis users while providing knee support in stance and free knee motion in swing at appropriate instants in the gait cycle. Overall, the new stance-control knee-ankle-foot orthosis provided more natural gait kinematics for orthosis users compared to conventional knee-ankle-foot-orthoses.     

踝足矫形器对脑卒中患者躯体运动及其步行能力的影响

摘要 目的：探讨踝足矫形器（AFO）对脑卒中患者躯体运动和步行能力的影响及其之间的相互关系。 方法：20例可以独立步行10m以上的慢性偏瘫患者,采用三维步态分析系统评测佩戴AFO前后的最大步行速度及躯体运动学参数。 结果：佩戴AFO前后最大步行速度、身体重心垂直和侧方运动、骨盆前后倾斜和旋转运动差异有显著性意义（P<0.01）;步行能力的提高与身体重心运动和骨盆旋转运动改善显著相关（P<0.01）。 结论：佩戴AFO可以改善脑卒中偏瘫患者躯体运动的稳定性,并且与提高患者的步行能力相关。     

胸段完全性脊髓损伤患者的三维步态分析

目的通过对胸段完全性脊髓损伤(TCSCI)患者配戴交互式步行矫形器(RGO)的三维步态分析,比较分析脊髓损伤(SCI)平面与步行能力之间的关系,探讨重建SCI患者步行能力的量化指标。方法选择在本中心住院且配戴RGO进行步行训练3个月以上的TCSCI患者10例,采用Vicon三维步态分析系统进行步态检测与分析。应用Spearman秩和相关系数对TCSCI患者的不同SCI平面与其步态的运动学和时空参数等的相关性进行统计学检验。结果步频和跨步长分别为(37.4±2.15) 步/min和(91.6±9.09) cm;髋关节摆动角度及髋关节伸展和屈曲时相的角速度分别为(42.57 °±5.43 °)、(20.88 °±2.18 °)/s和(124.75 °±9.31 °)/s。步速(r=0.80,P<0.01)、跨步长(r=0.78,P<0.01)、助行架的压力峰值(r=0.82,P<0.01)、髋关节摆动角度(r=0.77,P<0.01)、助行架的压力均值(r=-0.67,P<0.05)和髋关节伸展的角速度(r=0.75,P<0.05)与SCI平面之间均有显著的相关性。结论TCSCI患者双上肢过度负载和髋关节摆动幅度受限是其步行能力受限的主要原因;降低过度负载的康复训练方法有助于改善重建的步行功能。     

The effect of valgus bracing on the knee adduction moment during gait and running in male subjects with varus alignment

Background

Increased mechanical load is one risk factor for osteoarthritis. One possible treatment for this disorder is the use of knee braces in order to redistribute joint loading, which may inhibit the progression of the disease. The hypothesis was: knee adduction moment can be reduced with the use of a dedicated knee orthosis, which applies an abduction moment at the knee.

Methods

Sixteen healthy male subjects with varus alignment were analysed during walking and running while using an adjustable valgus orthosis. Peak knee adduction moments and knee adduction angular impulses were evaluated through inverse dynamics. Additionally, the abduction moment produced by the orthosis was measured in three different adjustments of valgus angulations (neutral, 4° and 8° valgus) using a strain gauge device.

Findings

During walking, mean reductions of 25% and 36% in the knee adduction angular impulse were found between the conditions without orthosis and 4° and between without orthosis and 8°, respectively. For the running trials mean reductions of 18% and 23% were observed between these same conditions. The first and second peak knee adduction moments also decreased during walking with different orthosis adjustments (changes from 5% to 33%). During running, a significant reduction was observed only between the conditions without orthosis and 8° valgus adjustments (change of 11%).

Interpretation

The orthosis tested in this study was effective in reducing the knee adduction moments during walking and running. This reduction of knee adduction moments during locomotion should contribute to decelerate osteoarthritis progression.