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Updated: Jan 6, 2026
Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Published on: January 12, 2019
Ankle bracing practices in ambulatory, corticosteroid-naive boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Victoria Kern1, Matthew Wicklund2, Anne Haulman3
1Rehabilitative Medicine, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Introduction:
Loss of ambulation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy presages scoliosis, respiratory failure, and death. Strategies to maintain ankle range of motion are employed, but little evidence exists to support these approaches and limited information is available concerning current practice.
Methods:
In this study we assessed baseline bracing data from 187 boys participating in a multicenter, international clinical trial.
Results:
Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) were recommended for 54% of the boys, with nighttime static AFOs and nighttime dynamic AFOs utilized in 94% and 6% of these boys, respectively. Daytime static AFOs were recommended for 3 boys. Compliance with bracing recommendations was 54% for nighttime static braces and 67% for nighttime dynamic braces.
Discussion:
The basis for the variation in recommended AFO use is unknown and requires further study. Long-term follow-up of boys may permit assessment of the effects of AFO use.
