Objective: To observe the effect of three-dimensional (3D) printing knee ankle foot orthosis (KAFO) on walking function of hemiplegic patients 2 weeks to 3 months after stroke.

Methods: Patients with post-stroke hemiplegia who met the case selection criteria from January 1, 2018 to July 31, 2020 were randomly divided into control group 1, control group 2 and observation group, with 10 cases in each group. On the basis of routine primary disease treatment and rehabilitation treatment, all patients in the three groups wore orthosis during standing and walking training. The control group 1 wore traditional ankle foot orthosis (AFO), the control group 2 wore traditional KAFO, and the observation group wore 3D printing KAFO. All patients received 4-week rehabilitation treatment. The 10-meter walk test (10-MWT), 6-minute walk test (6-MWT), Fugl-Meyer Motor Ability Assessment Scale, Berg Balance Scale, and the minimum distance between the foot and the ground (foot space) were measured before and after treatment.

Results: There were no significant differences in the 10-MWT, 6-MWT, Fugl-Meyer Motor Ability Assessment Scale score, Berg Balance Scale score and foot space among the three groups before treatment (P > 0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the 10-MWT was shortened (P < 0.01), the 6-MWT was increased (P < 0.01), the Fugl-Meyer Motor Ability Assessment Scale score was increased (P < 0.05), the Berg Balance Scale score was increased (P < 0.05), and the foot space was increased (P < 0.05). Pairwise comparison between groups showed that the indexes of the observation group were better than those of the two control groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: 3D printing KAFO can enhance the lower limb movement ability, improve the balance function, reduce the ability loss of patients, and then improve the walking speed and endurance, optimize the rehabilitation treatment.