Quantitative evaluation of AFO use with myelomeningocele children.

Although the sample size is small, results are very positive for the use of AFO's with the myelomeningocele child. The increase in pertinent gait parameters in conjunction with a decrease in excess hip, knee, and ankle flexion demonstrate the benefits gained in using AFO's to assist the myelomeningocele child in ambulation. Further, the decrease in excess muscle activation time and co-contraction facilitate a decrease in energy expenditure, thus allowing for more ambulation the limited results from this study provide a basis from which further research may be gleaned. The use of quantitative measures in evaluating the benefits of AFO's provides objective data from which future design and application recommendations may be made.