Ankle plantarflexor spasticity does not restrict the recovery of ankle plantarflexor strength or ankle power generation for push-off during walking following traumatic brain injury.

Abstract

Objective: The main aim of this project was to determine the impact of plantarflexor spasticity on muscle performance for ambulant people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Setting: A large metropolitan rehabilitation hospital. Participants: Seventy-two ambulant people with TBI who were attending physiotherapy for mobility limitations. Twenty-four participants returned for a 6-month follow-up reassessment. Design: Cross-sectional cohort study. Main Measures: Self-selected walking speed, Tardieu scale, ankle plantarflexor strength, and ankle power generation (APG). Results: Participants with ankle plantarflexor spasticity had significantly lower self-selected walking speed; however, there was no significant difference in ankle plantarflexor strength or APG. Participants with ankle plantarflexor spasticity were not restricted in the recovery of self-selected walking speed, ankle plantarflexor strength, or APG, indicating equivalent ability to improve their mobility over time despite the presence of spasticity. Conclusion: Following TBI, people with ankle plantarflexor spasticity have significantly greater mobility limitations than those without spasticity, yet retain the capacity for recovery of self-selected walking speed, ankle plantarflexor strength, and APG.