Robot-assisted Rehabilitation of Ankle Fractures: Efficacy and Comparison With Traditional Methods

INTRODUCTION:

Robotic devices for lower-limb rehabilitation have been mainly tested in neurologically injured patients. Up to now, clinical studies using robotic training in orthopedic conditions are few. A pilot study was carried out at INAIL Physical Rehabilitation Center of Volterra using ARBOT, a prototypal robotic system for ankle rehabilitation. This device has been developed by IIT - Italian Institute of Technology and it consists of a two-degree-of-freedom electromechanical platform which is able to perform most of the exercises foreseen by the standard rehabilitation programs. By virtue of its innovative motion system and control architecture, ARBOT integrates multiple rehabilitation equipment functions, performing also special exercise programs such as elastic and fluid-dynamic resistance.

ARBOT allows training according to programmed sequences, in order to promote range of movement, muscular function and proprioceptive recovery. Exercises can be performed with or without bearing weight. Moreover, ARBOT is a powerful evaluation instrument for physiotherapists in order to verify and record the results of rehabilitative intervention.

The primary aim of this trial was to determine the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of robot-assisted rehabilitation using ARBOT in patients with ankle dysfunction resulting from work related ankle fractures, compared with conventional rehabilitation programs. Secondary objectives was to investigate correlations among physical and disability parameters, to collect data in order to define further study protocols and improve ARBOT's performance and ergonomics, and ultimately to evaluate patient satisfaction with respect to robot assisted rehabilitation programs.

METHODS:

Thirty-two patients with work related injuries resulting in ankle and/or hindfoot fractures and subsequent to the immobilization phase was enrolled in an open randomized controlled trial over a 30 month period. Each participant was randomly allocated to experimental or control group and received a 4-week rehabilitation program (20 sessions, for 5 days/week from admission to discharge in the Rehabilitation Centre) and weekly robotic and clinical assessments.

Subjects in the experimental group were treated using ARBOT with passive, active and active assisted range-of-motion exercises, resistive exercises in isometric, isotonic, isokinetic, elastic and fluid-dynamic conditions, and proprioceptive training. Control subjects were assisted by a physiotherapist during range of motion recovery exercises and performed resistive and proprioceptive training using Biodex System 3 dynamometer and ProKin PK254 mobile electronic platform.

The assessment sessions included measurements of dorsiflexion ROM, isometric and isokinetic plantar-flexion torque and proprioceptive performance with ARBOT and 2 minutes walking and timed stair climbing test, LEFS-Lower Extremity Functional Scale and AOFAS-Ankle-Hindfoot Scale.

Site monitoring of the study has been conducted according to the standard ISO 14155.

Inclusion criteria

• Functional limitation following work-related ankle injuries, including:

• Malleolar and/or tibial shaft fractures, both surgically and conservatively treated;
• Distal tibia and fibula fractures, both surgically and conservatively treated;
• Hindfoot (Calcaneus and Talus) fractures, both surgically and conservatively treated.
• Post-immobilization phase;
• Time interval since fracture event of less than 12 months;
• Signed informed consent acquisition.

Exclusion criteria

• Non-compliance with study requirements;
• Pregnancy or breast feeding;
• Current or prior history of malignancy;
• Open skin at the level of the patient-device interface;
• Sensory deficit at the level of the patient-device interface;
• Ankle motor deficit secondary to peroneal or tibial neuropathy;
• Acute inflammatory arthritis of the ankle;
• Other pathological conditions inducing lower limb pain or disfunction.