Carbon fiber custom dynamic orthoses are used to improve gait and limb function following lower-limb trauma in specialty centers. However, a research team noted, the effects of commercially available orthoses on the center of pressure progression and the patient perception of smoothness during walking are poorly understood.
The researchers conducted a gait analysis of 16 participants with unilateral lower-limb traumatic injuries as they walked without an orthosis, and while wearing monolithic and modular devices, in a randomized order. Device alignment, stiffness, participant rating of perceived device smoothness, center of pressure velocity, and ankle zero moment crossing were assessed.
The analysis found that the modular device was approximately twice as stiff as the monolithic device; alignment, smoothness ratings, peak magnitude of center of pressure velocity, and zero moment crossing were not different between the devices; and the time to peak center of pressure velocity occurred significantly later for the modular device compared to the monolithic and no orthosis conditions, with large effect sizes observed.
The study concluded that orthoses commonly used to treat limb trauma affect the timing of center of pressure progression relative to walking without an orthosis. Despite multiple design differences, the monolithic and modular orthoses included in the study did not differ with respect to other measures of center of pressure progression. Perceived smoothness ratings were approximately 40 percent greater with the study orthoses as compared to previous studies in specialty centers, which the authors said may be due to a more gradual center of pressure progression, as indicted by lower peak magnitude of center of pressure velocity with both study orthoses.
The study, “The effect of carbon fiber custom dynamic orthosis use and design on center of pressure progression and perceived smoothness in individuals with lower limb trauma,” was published in Clinical Biomechanics.
