Advanced functional bracing in lower extremity trauma: Bracing to improve function

Abstract

There are many bracing options for patients with functional limitations of the lower extremity following trauma. The first question that the provider must ask when evaluating a patient with a foot and ankle functional limitation because of weakness or pain is, "what are the patient's expectations?" One option for the patient who desires to return to a higher level of function is a novel, custom dynamic orthosis (CDO) that, when coupled with an advanced rehabilitation program, has improved outcomes in patients following lower extremity trauma who have plateaued after traditional rehabilitation pathways. Although this CDO and rehabilitation program has demonstrated success following lower extremity trauma in heterogenous patient populations, research is ongoing to identify both ideal referral diagnoses or injury characteristics, and to further optimize outcomes with the use of the CDO.