Design of a Soft Ankle Joint Device for Correction of Inversion/Eversion Angle During Aquatic Therapy

According to statistical data, approximately 800,000 individuals across the United States have strokes each year [2]. A stroke event causes neurological and orthopedic deficits, such as weak muscles, decreased proprioception, and spasticity [6]. To regain function, increase motor skills, and retrain muscles, many stoke survivors utilize aquatic therapy as a form of rehabilitation [14]. Typically inside water, the lower body part of a person has to carry 75% less weight, This decreases the effect of gravity allowing increased joint range of motion [6], [13]. This also helps increase muscle strength as water offers about 600 more resistance than air [13]. The water temperature also helps decrease pain, spasticity, and rigidity [13]. The uniform pressure along with buoyancy contributes to an improved balance of the body [13].