Carbon fiber custom dynamic orthoses (CDOs) and unloading ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) have shown varying levels of success in reducing forces acting on different regions of the bottom of the foot during gait. CDOs and unloading AFOs have shown differing offloading capabilities across different regions of the foots (hindfoot, midfoot, forefoot) which may be related to a distinct difference between CDOs and unloading AFOs: CDOs do not suspend, or distract, the foot away from the footplate. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of CDOs and heel distraction height (the distance between the heel and the footplate) on limb loading and motion during gait as well as patient reported pain, and comfort.
Ages 18-65 years
Traumatic hindfoot injury (soft tissue injury or fracture affecting the hindfoot or ankle)
Mechanical pain with limb loading (>=4/10 on Numerical Pain Rating Scale)
Ability to walk 50 feet at a slow to moderate pace
Diagnosis with a moderate or severe brain injury
Diagnosis with a physical or psychological condition that would preclude functional testing (e.g., cardiac condition, clotting disorder, pulmonary condition, etc.
Ankle weakness resulting from spinal cord injury or central nervous system pathology
Nerve, muscle, bone, or other condition limiting function in the contralateral extremity
University of Iowa
Lead sponsor
Fabtech Systems
Collaborator