The Effects of Rigid Ankle-Foot Orthosis with Lateral Flare and Shoe Modification on Stability of Stroke Patients: A Pilot Study

Stability plays a crucial role in performing daily activities. There is an abundance of evidence suggesting that injuries due to falling are related to loss of stability after stroke. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of lateral stability inside a rigid ankle-foot orthosis and lateral shoe modification with a traditional rigid ankle-foot orthosis on stability and fall risk in hemiparetic stroke patients. Four post-stroke patients participated and static and dynamic stability under three conditions were evaluated: lateral stability inside a rigid anklefoot orthosis, rigid ankle-foot orthosis with addition of shoe modification with lateral heel flare, and barefoot. Both interventions with traditional ankle-foot orthosis provided stability in static but not dynamic function. Use of this lateral stabilization technique inside a rigid ankle-foot orthosis user can increase static stability. Future investigations in free-living settings must be performed.