FURI | Spring 2020

Ankle Flexion Data as a Differentiative Measure in Orthotic Device Prescription for Stroke Survivors

Gait and balance impairments are well-known consequences of a stroke that causes nearly half of the 6.5 million stroke survivors in the U.S. to fall. Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) are widely prescribed by doctors to aid post-stroke mobility and are further classified into Electrical Stimulation and Thermoplastic variants. While both devices serve the same purpose, they have had varying levels of effectiveness on the stroke survivors that were studied. The purpose of this study is to observe ankle strength data in relation to patient fall data while taking into account the prescribed AFO variant to study its effectiveness in preventing falls and in catering to the specific needs of the patient.