Does Modified Footwear Improve Gait After Ankle Arthrodesis?

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedics
• Biomechanics
• Gait Analysis

Background:

• Rocker bottom shoes are often recommended for patients post-ankle arthrodesis.
• Evidence supporting this recommendation is limited.
• Ankle arthrodesis involves surgical fusion of the ankle joint, impacting gait.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of rocker bottom shoes on gait parameters in patients who have undergone ankle arthrodesis.
• To compare gait data between patients with ankle arthrodesis and healthy individuals.
• To assess patient-reported outcomes using functional questionnaires.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 9 patients with ankle arthrodesis (study group) and 9 healthy volunteers (normal group).
• Gait data were collected using video recording while participants walked barefoot and in rocker bottom shoes.
• Computer-based gait analysis software was used to calculate total ankle motion. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Rocker bottom shoes significantly increased mean total ankle motion by 4.8° in the ankle arthrodesis group compared to walking barefoot (p < .05).
• No significant effect on total ankle motion was observed in the healthy control group (p = .59).
• Despite improvement, the ankle arthrodesis group's total motion remained significantly lower than the control group (p < .05) and gait velocity was unaffected.

Conclusions:

• Rocker bottom shoes provide a significant improvement in total ankle motion for patients who have undergone ankle arthrodesis, moving their gait towards normal parameters.
• These shoes do not fully restore ankle motion to that of healthy individuals.
• Further research may be warranted to explore long-term effects and patient satisfaction.