Passive-dynamic ankle-foot orthoses change post-stroke lower extremity constituent work profile.

Stiffness-customized passive-dynamic ankle-foot orthoses (PD-AFOs) have been shown to reduce the mechanical cost of transport (COT) of individuals post-stroke. However, the mechanisms underlying this reduced COT are unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the factors driving COT reduction with PD-AFO use for individuals post-stroke.

Customized passive-dynamic ankle-foot orthoses can improve walking economy and speed for many individuals post-stroke.

Background: Passive-dynamic ankle-foot orthoses (PD-AFOs) are often prescribed to address plantar flexor weakness during gait, which is commonly observed after stroke. However, limited evidence is available to inform the prescription guidelines of PD-AFO bending stiffness. This study assessed the extent to which PD-AFOs customized to match an individual's level of plantar flexor weakness influence walking function, as compared to No AFO and their standard of care (SOC) AFO.

Deformable foot orthoses redistribute power from the ankle to the distal foot during walking.

Recently, carbon fiber plates, or orthoses, have been incorporated into footwear to improve running performance, presumably through improved energy storage and return. However, few studies have explored the energetic effects these orthoses have on the distal foot, have utilized such orthoses in walking, and none have sought to specifically harness metatarsophalangeal joint deformation to store and return energy to the ankle-foot complex. To address these gaps, we developed and tested a deformable carbon fiber foot orthosis aiming to harness foot energetics and quantify the resulting effects on ankle energetics during walking in healthy adults.

Understanding the effects of quantitatively prescribing passive-dynamic ankle-foot orthosis bending stiffness for individuals after stroke.

Background: Passive-dynamic ankle-foot orthosis (PD-AFO) bending stiffness, which assists plantar flexor function, can be prescribed to improve poststroke gait. However, outcomes with PD-AFOs are variable likely because of improper personalization. We implemented a prescription model that objectively personalizes PD-AFO bending stiffness based on each individual's level of plantar flexor weakness (quantitatively prescribed PD-AFO).

Nonlinear net ankle quasi-stiffness reduces error and changes with speed but not load carried.

Background: Natural ankle quasi-stiffness (NAS) is a key metric used to personalize orthotic and prosthetic ankle-foot devices. NAS has traditionally been defined as the average slope (i.e.

Comparison of three kinematic gait event detection methods during overground and treadmill walking for individuals post stroke.

Detecting gait events using ground reaction forces (i.e. kinetic detection) is the gold standard, but it is not always possible.