Accurate alignment of anatomical and mechanical joint axes is one of the major biomechanical principles pertaining to articulated orthoses, yet knowledge of the potential effects of axis misalignment is limited. The purpose of this project was to model the effects of systematic linear (proximal-distal and anterior-posterior) misalignments of single axis mechanical ankle joints in an ankle-foot ...

Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are used to assist persons with lower-limb neuromuscular impairments. We have developed the portable powered AFO (PPAFO). This device uses a bidirectional pneumatic actuator powered by a CO2 bottle to provide dorsiflexor and plantarflexor torque assistance. The PPAFO operates tether-free, allowing for use outside of the laboratory. This system has been tested on one i...

BACKGROUND Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are commonly prescribed during rehabilitation after limb salvage. AFO stiffness is selected to help mitigate gait deficiencies. A new custom dynamic AFO, the Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis (IDEO), is available to injured service members but prescription guidelines are limited. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES In this study we ask (1) does dynamic AFO stiffness a...

Charcot osteoarthropathy, also known as Charcot foot or neuroarthropathy, has been recognised for over 130 years. Yet it remains a major cause of morbidity for patients with diabetes mellitus and a continuing challenge for physicians, as well as for public health because of the massive economic consequences of foot ulcers. Acute Charcot osteoarthropathy is a skeletal breakdown associated with i...

INTRODUCTION As the geriatric population is increasing, impairment related to ankle and subtalar arthritis has also become commonplace. Arthodesis is considered the standard procedure for severe ankle or hindfoot arthritis, but there are advocates of total joint arthroplasty, low tibial osteotomy, and distraction arthroplasty (1). In order to preserve patient mobility and function independence,...