Research Article
Isha S. Akulwar and Ashwi
Abstract
Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability in adults. Damage to the motor cortex or corticospinal tract often results in contralateral hemiplegia with significant persistent distal weakness. Gait impairments are common in stroke patients and are mainly attributed to motor control deficits. Majority of the stroke patients exhibit a spastic equinus foot. This is usually related to spasticity of triceps surae or contracture of this muscle or tendon, resulting in reduced active ankle dorsiflexion both during stance and swing phases, which is referred to as drop foot. Another common finding in the gait of stroke patients is varus deformity of the foot, which is frequently caused by spasticity of the posterior tibial muscle.