Effect of floor reaction ankle–foot orthosis on crouch gait in patients with cerebral palsy: What can be expected?

Background: Floor reaction ankle–foot orthoses are commonly prescribed to improve knee extension of children with cerebral palsy having crouch gait. Their effectiveness is debated. Therefore, the objective of this study is to optimize current prescription criteria for the improvement of crouch gait. Study design: Cross-sectional interventional study. Methods: A total of 22 patients with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy, between 6 and 17 years, Gross Motor Function Classification System II–IV participated in this study. Instrumented gait analysis was done under three conditions: barefoot, shoed, and with orthotics. Patients were divided into two groups: good and non-responders with more and less than 8.8° improvement of knee extension during walking, respectively. A multiple predictor analysis was done on parameters that were different between groups. Results: In total, 12 of 22 patients showed good response in knee extension with a mean change of 17° (standard deviation = 5°). Good responders showed a significantly smaller walking velocity, knee extension strength, ankle plantarflexion strength, and greater external foot progression angle compared to non-responders. Foot progression angle together with ankle plantarflexion strength explained 37% of the variance in improvement of knee extension. Conclusion: With appropriate patient selection, an improvement of crouch gait by ankle–foot orthoses of 17° (standard deviation = 5°) can be expected. Patients with slow velocity, weak plantarflexors, and external foot progression benefit most. Joint contractures were no contraindications. Clinical relevance This study showed that gait in patients with low functional level benefit most from ankle–foot orthoses. Unlike in patients with higher functional status, contractures of hip, knee, and ankle did not reduce the positive effects on gait. The suggested prescription criteria may help to better select appropriate patients for orthotics.