Background Aging is associated with reduced postural stability and increased fall risk. Foot orthoses have been reported as an adjuvant intervention to improve balance by stimulating foot plantar mechanical receptors and thus increasing somatosensory input. Purpose The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of flat and textured insoles on the balance of primary care elderly people. Des...

Three types of walking orthosis are currently available to enable paralysed people to achieve reciprocal gait. This case study assesses the performance in walking of one patient who was proficient in the use of all three devices. The results of a biomechanical analysis are presented in which comparisons are made between the orthoses in terms of general gait parameters and movement of the lower ...

A biomechanical study is presented to compare the effectiveness of three types of off-the-shelf cervical orthoses and one custom-fit collar in restricting cervical spine motion. A group of 10 normal subjects was studied. The measurements of flexion and extension, lateral side flexion and axial rotation were recorded using various measurement techniques. Interface pressures at the chin and occip...

Children with flail feet who have control of their hips and knees are able to walk but are unable to stand still and find it difficult to walk slowly. These problems have been overcome in fifty-three children with flail feet due to myelomeningocele by fitting them with below-knee orthoses which provide maximum stability and yet allow normal walking. The biomechanical principles and the developm...

Our keynote lecture will be given by Dr. Steven Stanhope, director of the Physical Disabilities Branch at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Stanhope will discuss findings from a series of research projects related to customization and selective laser sintering construction of passive dynamic ankle-foot orthoses to meet a patient’s individual needs and the biomechanical basis for adapted co...

This study examined the energy cost of ambulation using the reciprocating gait orthosis (RGO) and the modified Isocentric RGO in paraplegic spinal cord injured subjects. In 4 subjects, the rates of O2 consumption per minute, O2 cost per metre, heart rate (HR), respiratory exchange ratio, velocity, and physiologic cost index (PCI) were measured during ambulation with the two orthotic devices. PC...

STUDY DESIGN Controlled laboratory study using a randomized crossover design. OBJECTIVE To determine the immediate effect of 3 common types of orthoses (2 elbow counterforce orthoses and a wrist splint) on grip strength in individuals with lateral epicondylosis. BACKGROUND Lateral epicondylosis is a common cause of pain and upper limb dysfunction. Although the effectiveness of orthoses has ...