1. Functional and perceptive differences between conventional and advanced ankle foot orthoses in community ambulators post-limb trauma: the injuries managed with advanced bracing of the lower extremity (IM ABLE) study.
- Author
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Highsmith, M. Jason, Miro, Rebecca M., Kartel, Michael, Ramrattan, Anita, Courtade, Angela, Heckman, Jeffrey T., Phillips, Samuel L., Wurdeman, Shane R., DiBello, Thomas V., England, Dwiesha L., Stevens, Phillip M., Campbell, James H., Hyre, Michael J., Maikos, Jason T., Hill, Owen T., and Carey, Stephanie L.
- Subjects
LEG injuries ,SELF-evaluation ,PAIN measurement ,INDEPENDENT living ,RESEARCH funding ,PATIENT safety ,EXERCISE ,T-test (Statistics) ,DATA analysis ,FUNCTIONAL assessment ,STATISTICAL sampling ,VISUAL analog scale ,PARAMETERS (Statistics) ,FISHER exact test ,FUNCTIONAL status ,TREATMENT effectiveness ,RANDOMIZED controlled trials ,ORTHOPEDIC apparatus ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,WALKING ,CROSSOVER trials ,MATHEMATICAL statistics ,LIMB salvage ,RESEARCH ,STATISTICS ,FOOT orthoses ,CARBON fibers ,PATIENTS' attitudes ,PHYSICAL mobility ,NONPARAMETRIC statistics ,REHABILITATION - Abstract
Introduction: Many military service members and civilians suffer from lower extremity trauma. Despite recent advancements in lower limb bracing technology, it remains unclear whether these newer advanced braces offer improved comfort and functionality compared to conventional options. The IDEO (Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis), a type of "advanced" orthosis was developed to assist in maintaining high functional performance in patients who have experienced high-energy lower extremity trauma and underwent limb salvage surgeries. Methods: A cross-sector multi-site initiative was completed to study the efficacy of advanced ankle foot orthoses (AFO) for lower limb trauma and injury compared to a conventional AFO. Following fitting, training, and accommodation, the subjects were assessed in each AFO system for mobility, self-reported function, safety and pain, and preference. Results: They preferred the advanced over the conventional AFO and the mobility and exertion perception improved with the advanced AFO with no difference in pain or overall health status scores. Discussion: Thus, an advanced AFO is an option for trauma affecting the lower limb. Long-term studies are required to better understand the accommodation and learning process of using an advanced AFO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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