The use of ankle-foot orthosis in stroke rehabilitation : a case report

Abstract EN

The single case report describes the use of Ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) in aiding ambulation in a stroke patient.

Locomotion ability and timed ambulation were used to assess the effect of Ankle-foot orthosis on the patient.

The result showed that an otherwise non-ambulant patient was able to independently walk.

The patient was on wheelchair locomotion before the use of Ankle-foot orthosis; but with it, the walking speed and the relative speed were 0.21m/s and 0.12stature/sec.

respectively.

The average walking distance was 30metres.

His timed walking scores indicated he was household limited in ambulation (i.e can't be a functional ambulator within the community), but his level of independence within the house will go a long way to relief the burden of care for him.

The findings from this case report suggest that orthotic prescription could be of immense benefit in the rehabilitation of stroke patients, therefore therapists should reassess the way in which they view the use of orthotic devices in neuro-rehabllitation.

so as to embrace an all inclusive care thereby responding to the clinical needs of the patient.