Orthoses

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective Review. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative cervical orthoses to prevent fixation failure and loss of reduction after operative treatment of cervical spine fractures. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: While cervical orthoses are most times tolerated in trauma patients, it is not clear that postoperative bracing is effective at reducing the rate of fixation failure or nonunion in this patient population...

BACKGROUND: There is no gold standard for a walking orthosis after first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthrodesis surgery. Evaluation of plantar pressure measures and patient perceptions for different orthoses may assist surgeons to choose a postsurgery orthotic. The purpose of this study was to measure plantar pressure under the distal first ray during walking and patient perceptions of comfort, stability, and preference with 4 different orthoses in patients with a history of first MTPJ arthrodesis...

BACKGROUND: Ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) can improve gait posture and walking ability in post-stroke patients. However, the effect of AFO on gait parameters in post-stroke patients according to the Brunnstrom stage of stroke recovery of the lower limbs remains unclear. The study aimed to investigate whether stroke patients with different Brunnstrom stages benefit from wearing AFO. METHODS: Twenty-five post-stroke participants included 18 men (50 ± 13 years) and 7 women (60 ± 15 years)...

The most common foot deformity in newborns is the forefoot adduction deformity (FAD), where the hindfoot foot is in a normal position. The diagnosis for this problem is mainly based on a physical examination. The use of imaging methods has been described, but no advantage was shown with their utilization in determining the diagnosis and guiding treatment. Several classification systems have been proposed to characterize the degree of severity. The classifications are based on the degree of deviation and the flexibility of the foot...

The global aging population faces significant health challenges, including an increasing vulnerability to disability due to natural aging processes. Wearable lower limb exoskeletons (LLEs) have emerged as a promising solution to enhance physical function in older individuals. This systematic review synthesizes the use of LLEs in alignment with the WHO's healthy aging vision, examining their impact on intrinsic capacities and functional abilities. We conducted a comprehensive literature search in six databases, yielding 36 relevant articles covering older adults (65+) with various health conditions, including sarcopenia, stroke, Parkinson's Disease, osteoarthritis, and more...

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the direct costs of treating excess body weight in children and adolescents attending a public children's hospital. METHODS: This study analyzed the costs of the disease within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) for 2,221 patients with excess body weight using a microcosting approach. The costs included operational expenses, consultations, and laboratory and imaging tests obtained from medical records for the period from 2009 to 2019...

Low back pain (LBP) presents a significant burden globally, affecting individuals of all ages, but it is more common in adults aged 30-60 years old and demographics including race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Physiotherapy interventions are commonly employed to manage LBP due to their non-invasive nature and potential for addressing underlying biomechanical dysfunctions. This comprehensive review aims to evaluate the efficacy of various physiotherapy strategies in alleviating LBP, considering a range of interventions and their associated outcomes...

Background  With the advent of cranial orthoses as therapeutic medical devices for the treatment of severe positional head deformities in Japan, an increasing number of patients are being treated with them. However, assessing the effectiveness of a treatment is often difficult due to the use of different metrics. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cranial orthoses for deformational plagiocephaly using two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) evaluation metrics. Methods  We conducted a retrospective study of infant patients with deformational plagiocephaly who underwent cranial orthosis treatment...

Background : Sever's disease, or calcaneal apophysitis, stands as the most prevalent cause of heel pain in children, often linked to sports like soccer, Australian football, and basketball. While various therapies are documented in the scientific literature, the standard choice is conservative treatment. Thus, the objective of this research was to assess the effectiveness of diverse conservative methods and techniques in alleviating Sever's disease symptoms. Methods: Systematic searches were conducted in October 2023 in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SportDiscus, and PEDro, using terms like Osteochondritis, Osteochondrosis, Apophysitis, Sever's disease, Calcaneus, Adolescent, Child, and Childhood...

This research paper aims to explore the mechanical characteristics of polyamide PA12 (PA12) as a 3D material printed utilizing Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and HP MultiJet Fusion (HP MJF) technologies in order to design and manufacture forearm orthoses. The study assessed the flowability of the materials used and compared the mechanical performance of PA12 with each other using tensile, flexure, and impact tests in five different fabrication orientations: X, Y, Z, tilted 45° XZ, and tilted 45° YZ...

BACKGROUND: Although footwear can improve pain and function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA), perspectives about footwear in this population have not been explored. OBJECTIVES: This qualitative study explored preferences, attitudes and beliefs about footwear in adults with knee OA. METHODS: Twenty individuals with a clinical diagnosis of knee OA (aged 45-79 years, 65% women) participated in semi-structured interviews about factors which influence footwear selection, the effect of footwear on knee symptoms, and footwear modifications...

BACKGROUND: In children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (USCP), ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are widely used to correct common gait deviations such as a drop-foot pattern. Most studies on this topic have investigated specific time points while omitting other parts of the gait cycle. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the separate effects of prefabricated carbon fiber AFOs and custom-made hinged AFOs compared with barefoot walking in children with USCP with a drop-foot gait pattern using statistical parametric mapping...

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a severe condition that affects the hand, causing pain, numbness, paresthesia, and autonomic dysfunction caused by increased pressure, damage, and demyelination of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. The most effective treatment for CTS is carpal tunnel release (CTR) via transverse carpal ligament (TCL) transect. We can apply decompression through endoscopic procedures; standard open techniques and minimally invasive wrist incisions can all be used to accomplish decompression...

Metatarsus adductus (MA), the most common congenital foot deformity, involves adduction of the forefoot at the tarsometatarsal joint, with normal hindfoot alignment. Early diagnosis is important because treatment is more successful if initiated before age 9 months. Treatment of MA depends on deformity severity, in which mild to moderate deformity can be treated conservatively. Current standard of care for severe or rigid deformity involves referral by primary care physicians to specialists for management by casting and splinting...

BACKGROUND: Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are vital in gait rehabilitation for patients with stroke. However, many conventional AFO designs may not offer the required precision for optimized patient outcomes. With the advent of 3D scanning and printing technology, there is potential for more individualized AFO solutions, aiming to enhance the rehabilitative process. OBJECTIVE: This nonrandomized trial seeks to introduce and validate a novel system for AFO design tailored to patients with stroke...

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: Geriatric vertebral compression fractures are the most common fracture associated with osteoporosis. Using a large national database, the current study aimed to examine and characterize bracing trends for geriatric thoracic/lumbar compression fracture management. METHODS: The current study utilized the PearlDiver database from 2015-2021. Patients who suffered thoracic/lumbar compression fractures (fifth thoracic to the fifth lumbar vertebra [T5-L5]) were identified...

Background : The effectiveness of knee orthoses as part of conservative treatment for patients with medial knee osteoarthritis has not been fully explored. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a novel semi-rigid knee orthosis on pain, physical activity, and functional capacity. Methods : Pain levels, physical activity, and functional capacity were assessed in 24 participants experiencing symptomatic medial knee osteoarthritis one week before (i.e., pretest) initiating a six-week orthosis intervention and again during the final week of the intervention (i...

Wearable mechatronics for powered orthoses, exoskeletons and prostheses require improved soft actuation systems acting as 'artificial muscles' that are capable of large strains, high stresses, fast response and self-sensing and that show electrically safe operation, low specific weight and large compliance. Among the diversity of soft actuation technologies under investigation, pneumatic devices have been the focus, during the last couple of decades, of renewed interest as an intrinsically soft artificial muscle technology, due to technological advances stimulated by applications in soft robotics...

Cerebral palsy poses challenges in walking, necessitating ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) for stability. Gait analysis, particularly on slopes, is crucial for effective AFO assessment. The study aimed to compare the performance of commercially available AFOs with a new sports-specific AFO in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy and to assess the effects of varying slopes on gait. Eighteen participants, aged 6-11, with hemiplegia, underwent gait analysis using GRAIL technology. Two AFO types were tested on slopes (uphill +10 deg, downhill -5 deg, level-ground)...

Lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a cardiovascular condition manifesting from narrowed or blocked arteries supplying the legs. Gait is impaired in patients with PAD. Recent evidence suggests that walking with carbon fiber ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) can improve patient mobility and delay claudication time. This study aimed to employ advanced biomechanical gait analysis to evaluate the impact of AFO intervention on gait performance among patients with PAD. Patients with claudication had hip, knee, and ankle joint kinetics and kinematics assessed using a cross-over intervention design...