Investigation of foot and ankle characteristics of stroke patients

This study was conducted to compare the affected and non-affected foot and ankle characteristics of individuals with stroke with healthy individuals and to investigate the foot-ankle problems and factors related to this problem. Foot-ankle characteristics for individuals with stroke with and without falling history were compared. Total of 48 individuals with 24 healthy individuals with an average age of 69±5.82 and 24 individuals with stroke, the average age of 68±6.94 and ≥ 3 functional ambulation classification and mean time post stroke 7±5.06 was included in this study. 12 individuals with stroke had falling history while 12 individuals with stroke had no falling history. The foot and ankle characteristics of all the individuals participating to this study were evaluated based on 6 parameters which were foot posture, foot range of motion, o foot muscle strength, foot sensation, foot functions and foot deformities. All these parameters were compared and the differences between these parameters were analyzed. There was a significant difference in all measurement groups comparing the stroke group and the healthy group (p<0.05). While there was no significant difference for the dorsiflexion angle and foot posture is affected and non-affected foot of the individuals with stroke (p>0.05), the foot was in pronation compared to healthy individuals (p<0.05). Individuals with stroke and with falling history had a higher level of pronation than individuals with stroke and without falling history and individuals with falling history had decreased ankle dorsiflexion joint range of motion (p<0.05). As a result of this study, when the foot and ankle characteristics of individuals with stroke and healthy individuals were compared, changes were observed in these characteristics. It is believed that these changes might affect balance and functional mobility. The importance of evaluating all foot-related parameters to determine the physiotherapy and rehabilitation program of individuals with stroke was emphasized.