A Study to Co-Relate the Foot Posture Index, H/M Ratio and Spatial Gait Parameters in Post-Stroke Patients with Ankle Planter-Flexor(Calf) Spasticity- An Observational Study.

Background: Stroke is one of the most commonly occurring disease which leads to hemiparesis along with other symptoms like spasticity, sensory disturbances etc. considered to be a part of positive signs of upper motor neuron (UMN) syndrome. Spasticity is a common disorder in patients with injury of the brain and spinal cord. Aim: The aim of the present study was to corelate the foot posture index, H/M ratio and spatial gait parameters in the assessment of poststroke patients with ankle planter-flexor spasticity. Methodology: It was an observational study which consisted of 32 chronic stroke patients. Both male and female with age group 45-70 years and stroke duration more than 3 months were included in the study. Spasticity was assessed using H/M ratio, foot posture was assessed by Foot Posture Index (FPI) and Step length and Stride length were taken. Result: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 20 for windows. The correlation between Hmax/Mmax ratio, FPI, step length and Stride length were evaluated using Spearman's correlation coefficient test. It was suggestive of strong negative correlation between FPI and Hmax/Mmax ratio, weak negative correlation between step length Hmax/Mmax ratio, strong negative co-relation between stride length and H/M ratio, moderate positive co-relation between Foot Posture Index (FPI) and step length and strong positive corelation between FPI and stride length. (p<0.05) Conclusion: From the present study it can be concluded that there is co-relation between Spasticity, Foot posture and Gait parameters in planter-flexor spasticity in post-stroke patients. It can also be concluded that Hmax/Mmax ratio and FPI are needed to be assessed in every post stroke patient as it has influence on Gait parameters such as step length and stride length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]