Two computer-controlled devices for leg rehabilitation are presented: 1) an external knee prosthesis for trans-femoral amputees; and 2) a force-controllable ankle-foot orthosis to assist individuals suffering from drop-foot, a gait pathology resulting from muscle weakness in ankle dorsiflexors. Here muscle-like actuators and biologically-inspired control schemes are employed to enhance patient ...

BACKGROUND Three-dimensional laser scanning has been used for patient measurement for cranial helmets and spinal braces. Ankle-foot orthoses are commonly prescribed for children with orthopaedic conditions. This trial sought to compare ankle-foot orthoses produced by laser scanning or traditional plaster casting. OBJECTIVES Assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of using laser scannin...

This report examines the orthotic management of patients with ankle fractures. Two functional orthoses that allow movement in the talocrural joint are described. The results of using these orthoses on ten patients are discussed. Introduction Immobilization of an extremity, for example after a fracture, has certain unwanted effects. Osteoporosis arises (Enneking and Horowitz, 1972; Mattsson, 197...

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of ankle-foot orthoses on walking efficiency and gait in a heterogeneous group of children with cerebral palsy, using barefoot walking as the control condition. DESIGN A retrospective study. METHODS Barefoot and ankle-foot orthosis data for 172 children with spastic cerebral palsy (mean age 9 years; hemiplegia: 21, diplegia: 97, and quadriplegia: 54) were c...

In this paper, we present the mechanical design, control algorithm, and functional evaluation of a quasi-passive compliant stance control knee-ankle-foot orthosis. The orthosis implements a spring in parallel with the knee joint during the stance phase of the gait and allows free rotation during the swing phase. The design is inspired by the moment-angle analysis of the knee joint revealing tha...

BACKGROUND Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot complaints. It is often treated with foot orthoses; however, studies of the effects of orthoses are generally of poor quality, and to our knowledge, no trials have investigated long-term effectiveness. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the short- and long-term effectiveness of foot orthoses in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. ...