Effect of Modified Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFO) along with Goal-Oriented Physiotherapy in a Child with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy–An Interesting Case Report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/ijphrd.v12i2.14112Keywords:
Cerebral Palsy, Spasticity, Diplegia, Physiotherapy, Goal Based Therapy, GMFCS, Gait Parameters, Orthoses, AFO.Abstract
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is considered as a neurological condition caused by a non-progressive damage or
malformation of the brain that occurs during the developmental process. Body movement and muscle
synchronization are mainly impaired in children with Cerebral Palsy. Each cerebral palsy case is unique
to the person. One person may have complete paralysis and need continuous treatment, while another may
have mild movement tremors with partial paralysis but require little assistance. The form and the timing of
the injury to the developing brain are the main reasons for such impairments. Orthoses are primarily used to
treat the secondary musculoskeletal problems of muscle contracture and bony deformity. In the Present Case
report a modified Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFO) is used bilaterally by using an extra malleolar orthosis, medial
block to prevent forefoot adduction and an extra strap to prevent navicular drop for a 7-year-old Spastic
Diplegic girl child who was in Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) grade III. After a
3-month goal-oriented physiotherapy treatment program primarily focusing on gait, we observed decreased
Navicular drop, increased ankle stability (Twisting was not seen), improvement in Gait Parameters such as
Increased stride length, Cadence and improved gait velocity.