Journal article
Foot offloading associated with carbon fiber orthosis use: A pilot study
Gait & posture, Vol.111, pp.191-195
05/03/2024
DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2024.04.032
PMCID: PMC12180416
PMID: 38718525
Abstract
Traumatic lower limb injuries can result in chronic pain. Orthotic interventions are a leading conservative approach to reduce pain, manage loading, and protect the foot. Robust carbon fiber custom dynamic orthoses (CDOs) designed for military service members have been shown to reduce foot loading. However, the effect of carbon fiber orthosis design, including designs widely used in the civilian sector, on foot loading is unknown.
Determine if carbon fiber orthoses alter foot loading during gait.
Loadsol insoles were used to measure peak forces and force impulse acting on the forefoot, midfoot, hindfoot, and total foot. Nine healthy, able-bodied individuals participated. Force impulse was quantified as cumulative loading throughout stance phase. Participants walked without an orthosis and with three carbon fiber orthoses of differing designs: a Firm stiffness CDO, a Moderate stiffness CDO, and a medial and lateral strut orthosis (MLSO).
There were significant main effects of orthosis condition on peak forefoot forces as well as forefoot and hindfoot force impulse. Peak forefoot forces were significantly lower in the Moderate and Firm CDOs compared to no orthosis and MLSO. Compared to walking without an orthosis, forefoot force impulse was significantly lower and hindfoot force impulse was significantly greater in all carbon fiber orthoses. Additionally, hindfoot force impulse in the Firm CDO was significantly higher than in the MLSO and Moderate CDO.
The three carbon fiber orthosis designs differed regarding foot loading, with more robust orthoses providing greater forefoot offloading. Orthosis-related changes in forefoot loading suggest that carbon fiber orthoses could reduce loading-associated pain during gait. However, increased hindfoot force impulse suggests caution should be used when considering carbon fiber orthoses for individuals at risk of skin breakdown with repetitive loading.
•Compared to walking without an orthosis, peak forefoot forces decreased with carbon fiber custom dynamic orthosis use.•All carbon fiber orthoses significantly decreased forefoot force impulse compared to walking without an orthosis.•All carbon fiber orthoses significantly increased hindfoot force impulse compared to walking without an orthosis.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Foot offloading associated with carbon fiber orthosis use: A pilot study
- Creators
- Kirsten M. Anderson - University of IowaMolly A. Corlett - Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, 1-152 MEB 500 Newton Road, Iowa City, Iowa, USASara M. Magdziarz - Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, 1-152 MEB 500 Newton Road, Iowa City, Iowa, USADonald D. Anderson - University of IowaJason M. Wilken - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Gait & posture, Vol.111, pp.191-195
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2024.04.032
- PMID
- 38718525
- PMCID
- PMC12180416
- NLM abbreviation
- Gait Posture
- ISSN
- 0966-6362
- eISSN
- 1879-2219
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/03/2024
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Industrial and Systems Engineering; Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
- Record Identifier
- 9984627154002771
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