Gait analysis of the hemophilic ankle with silicone heel cushion

Shock absorption becomes very important in damaged joints with destroyed cartilage and progressive muscular imbalance as occurs in hemarthropathy. The effects of silicone heel cushioning on the ankle motion of hemophilic patients in different stages of hemarthropathy of the ankle joints was measured using an ultrasound motion analysis system. It is concluded that silicone heel cushioning has no influence on ankles in the late stage of hemarthropathy. Silicone heel cushioning will lead to uncontrolled changes of the ankle joint in the early hemarthropathic ankle, involving the tibiotalar and the subtalar joints. The angular velocity of the ankle is increased producing higher acceleration at the ankle joint. The higher angle acceleration is related to higher joint loading uncontrolled by the muscles. The resulting uncoordinated motion can cause ligamentous overloading, strains, and a higher probability of joint bleeding. Therefore, silicone heel cushioning or other shock absorbing devices that return the energy immediately to the foot are not useful for prevention and treatment of chronic hemophilic synovitis and may cause additional deterioration of the joint.