Researchers conducted a study that was designed to investigate the frequency of using lower-limb orthosis prescribed for patients with cerebral palsy (CP) and to determine the factors associated with orthosis use.
A total of 129 patients with CP who were prescribed orthoses were included in this study, which had a retrospective and descriptive design. Fifty-three patients included in the study were female, and 76 were male. The sociodemographic data and orthosis use status of patients were questioned via telephone. Motor functions were evaluated with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Spasticity was evaluated with the modified Ashworth scale, and range of motion was evaluated by goniometry.
The study found that the most commonly used orthosis was an AFO and that regular orthosis use is at quite low levels in patients with CP. The number of patients who used orthosis daily was 45, or 34.8 percent. The most common reason for not using orthosis was difficulty in wearing it, the study found. The mean age was significantly lower in the group that used orthosis regularly (P < 0.05). Spasticity and range of motion limitations were low in the group that used orthosis regularly at significant levels (P < 0.05). A significant relation was detected in logistic regression analysis between age and orthosis use (P < 0.05).
The study “Use of lower extremity orthoses in patients with cerebral palsy and related factors” was published in the journal Prosthetics and Orthotics International.
