ABSTRACT
The foot and ankle are very commonly affected in various paralytic conditions and paralysis of different muscles acting on the foot results in characteristic gait aberrations. Instability of the subtalar joint makes it difficult to walk on uneven terrain, while instability of the ankle prevents a normal gait pattern. If the dorsiflexors of the ankle are functioning while the triceps surae is paralysed, in terminal stance uncontrolled ankle dorsiflexion occurs. The paralysis of the dorsiflexors and evertors result in a foot drop, equinovarus deformity and instability of the subtalar joint. There is no weakness of push-off. Here, the aims are to restore a plantigrade foot, restore active dorsiflexion, prevent foot drop and to stabilise the subtalar joint during stance. The isolated paralysis of the ankle and toe dorsiflexors causes a foot drop. The foot is plantigrade during stance and there is no instability of the subtalar joint or weakness of push-off.
