Gait trials of an active AFO for Achilles tendon ruptures

This paper describes experimental results obtained for level walking using an active ankle foot orthosis (AAFO) for a ruptured Achilles tendon. The sole of the AAFO is equipped with a servomotor. The actuator can switch the upright and the forward stepping posture of the patient. In gait trials, 1. the use of the AAFO made it possible for the patient to walk without the help of crutches with the ankle in a fixed position. 2. Joint kinematics and stick pictures at a walking speed of 1 km per hour were analyzed. 3.The cross-correlation coefficient between the ankle angle and the EMG signal of the lower leg was small.