Thesis
The effect on gait of AFO use in people with ankle osteoarthritis
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- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2016
- Thesis identifier
- T14544
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 201581009
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- There is currently no definitive treatment for ankle osteoarthritis (OA) despite that 20% of 8.75 million people affected in the UK (Arthritis Research UK, 2013; Dieppe and Lohmander, 2005). The Ankle-Foot Orthosis (AFO) is a conservative treatment but there is limited evidence of the treatment effect.Within clinical practice, diagnosis and prescription of treatment is performed primarily by eye. Development of new biomechanical software has the ability to run applications quickly and easily. This could provide quantitative real-time feedback which is understandable to clinicians and patients. Monitoring results and knowledge of performance could enhance patient diagnosis and assessment as well as progression during rehabilitation. The study aims to use this to assess ankle OA gait and quantify the AFO.Three participants with ankle OA were recruited. Each performed 50 gait cycles on a treadmill in a clinical environment. Two produced usable data. A 7-camera VICON Bonita motion capture system and the Strathclyde cluster model was used to track movement. Spatiotemporal parameters and 3D kinematics were evaluated. The uncontrolled manifold hypothesis (UCM) was applied to the data analysing variability and stability of gait. An adapted Karlsson and Peterson Ankle Function Score assessed the clinical-functional level.The differences between the non-AFO and AFO trials were minimal, finding no significant differences. With the AFO participants adopted a slower gait, taking smaller steps and strides. The UCM was successfully applied to each participant. All remained stable under both conditions but with the AFO there was less joint coordination during the gait cycle. This was mainly seen in the affected limb, resulting in asymmetry between the 2 limbs. The decline in performance contradicts hypotheses but results may be due to the participants becoming accustomed to the AFO. The novel approach to gait analysis within a clinical environment was successful, providing feedback quickly and objectively.
- Resource Type
- DOI
- Date Created
- 2016
- Former identifier
- 9912547591902996
