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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Biomechanical Diagnosis and Rehabilitation Control of Pes Equinus Patiens by Computerized Motion Analysis

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description

If a foot is fixed in plantar flexion such as to inhibit a dorsal flexion beyond a rectangular position with reference to the lower leg the resulting syndrome is called pes equinus. These patients exhibit a characteristic gait with stance phases on tiptoe that may amount to a severe handicap for them. The pes equinus is a most common deformity found in patients with a hemiplegic or diplegic disorder in the region of the foot and the lower leg with typical structural changes in the ankle joint and the calf muscles. The therapy of the pes equinus depends on its etiology and its severity. A less severe pes equinus deformity can be treated by physical therapy and other conservative measures. More severe cases have to be treated by operative corrections in the calf muscle and the Achilles tendon in order to achieve satisfactory results. The planning of an effective operative and/or conservative treatment of a pes equinus patient requires a comprehensive diagnosis of the pre-therapeutic morphological and functional biomechanical status of the affected lower extremity. Moreover it is necessary to evaluate the immediate result of a completed conservative or operative measure according to objective criteria in order to specify the further rehabilitation procedure as exactly as possible.