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Foot loading with an ankle-foot orthosis: the accuracy of an integrated physical strain trainer

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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the value of a built-in physical strain trainer for the monitoring of partial weight bearing with an ankle-foot orthosis.

Methods

12 healthy volunteers were asked to perform three trials. Plantar peak pressure values from normal gait (trial one) were defined as 100% (baseline). The following trials were performed with the Vacoped® dynamic vacuum ankle orthosis worn in a neutral position with full weight bearing (trial two) and a restriction to 10% body weight (BW) (trial three), as monitored with an integrated physical strain trainer. Peak plantar pressure values were obtained using the pedar® X system.

Results

Peak pressure values were statistically significantly reduced wearing the Vacoped® shoe with full weight bearing for the hindfoot to 68% of the baseline (normal gait) and for the midfoot and forefoot to 83% and 60%, respectively. Limited weight bearing with 10% BW as controlled by physical strain trainer further reduced plantar peak pressure values for the hindfoot to 19%, for the midfoot to 43% of the baseline and the forefoot to 22% of the baseline.

Conclusions

The Vacoped® vacuum ankle orthosis significantly reduces plantar peak pressure. The integrated physical strain trainer seems unsuitable to monitor a limitation to 10% BW adequately for the total foot. The concept of controlling partial weight bearing with the hindfoot-addressing device within the orthosis seems debatable but may be useful when the hindfoot in particular must be off-loaded.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Orthopedic Rheumatology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany

    Johannes Pauser, Andreas Jendrissek, Matthias Brem, Kolja Gelse, Bernd Swoboda & Hans-Dieter Carl

Authors
  1. Johannes Pauser
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  2. Andreas Jendrissek
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  3. Matthias Brem
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  4. Kolja Gelse
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  5. Bernd Swoboda
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  6. Hans-Dieter Carl
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hans-Dieter Carl.

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Pauser, J., Jendrissek, A., Brem, M. et al. Foot loading with an ankle-foot orthosis: the accuracy of an integrated physical strain trainer. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 36, 1411–1415 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-012-1501-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-012-1501-1

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