Influence of ankle-foot orthoses on gait symmetry in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: A prospective, cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: The main objective of the study was to analyse gait kinematics in terms of symmetry among groups of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP).

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The study was conducted using the BTS SMART three-dimensional (3D) gait analysis optoelectronic system. Passive reflective markers were placed on subjects' bodies in accordance with the Davis protocol. The study involved 43 children, aged 7 years. Group 1 (n = 18) comprised patients not using any orthopaedic equipment. Group 2 (n = 14) consisted of children using a unilateral ankle-foot orthosis on the affected side. Group 3 (n = 11) included children using bilateral ankle-foot orthoses.

RESULTS

Improvement in gait symmetry was observed in orthosed children, and the majority of changes were significant (p < 0.05). Thus, it appears that this type of orthopaedic equipment affects not only the ankle joint, but also higher levels of the biokinematic chain.

CONCLUSIONS

In accordance with the results, it was shown that in patients using bilateral ankle-foot orthoses, a more positive effect of the described phenomena could be expected.