Biomechanics of ankle-foot orthoses: past, present, and future

Pathological motion of the ankle-foot complex presents a major problem in the rehabilitation of stroke and head injury patients. For example, stroke patients often develop "drop foot," a problem involving excessive and uncontrolled plantar flexion. Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are prescribed and used to restore normal motion or to constrain and inhibit abnormal motion. Research projects need to be conducted that include new methods of studies and experimental testing in which a better design could be achieved and appropriate prescription could be applied.