The efficacy of tone-reducing features in orthotics on the gait of children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy

J Pediatr Orthop. 2000 Mar-Apr;20(2):210-6.

Abstract

This study analyzed the effects of tone-reducing features in ankle-foot orthotics (AFOs) on the gait of eight children (ages 4-11 years) with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. A standard gait analysis was performed on each subject in each of three trial orthotics and in a baseline shoes-only condition. A 4-week accommodation period was allotted for each of the three devices: a standard hinged AFO, an AFO with tone-reducing features, and a supramalleolar orthotic with tone-reducing features. Most significant differences were at the ankle, between free-ankle and plantar flexion-limiting conditions. No significant functional changes in gait were evident with the addition of tone-reducing properties to a standard articulating AFO.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Ankle Joint
  • Cerebral Palsy / diagnosis
  • Cerebral Palsy / physiopathology
  • Cerebral Palsy / rehabilitation*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Equipment Design
  • Female
  • Gait*
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Male
  • Muscle Relaxation
  • Muscle Spasticity / rehabilitation
  • Muscle Tonus
  • Orthotic Devices*
  • Treatment Outcome