Review Article
Year: 2022 | Month: October | Volume: 12 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 78-83
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20221010
Lower Limb Orthotics: An Overview
Manoj Kumar Tiwari1, Dr. Nutan Tiwari2
1All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mumbai, India
2Bhabha Atomic Research Center Hospital, Mumbai, India
Corresponding Author: Manoj Kumar Tiwari
ABSTRACT
Lower limb orthoses are used to assist gait, reduce pain, decrease weight bearing control movement, control movement and minimize progression of the deformity skills and assist ambulatory patients in achieving near-to-normal gait patterns in walking. Assistive devices can be advised with lower limb orthoses to help the patients ambulate more efficiently.
Orthotic management should be specific to the disorders. The placement of orthotic joints should approximate anatomical joints. Most orthoses utilize a three-point force system to ensure proper positioning of the lower limb within the orthoses.
Based on a comprehensive history and physical examination, a clear understanding of the patient’s disease process is the foundation for concluding an appropriate prescription. An effective prescription for orthotic treatment summarizes the medical issues related to the patients, details the biomechanical functions desired, and specifies critical technical attributes of the desired orthosis.
No single material is a panacea, despite publicity for exotic materials. The selection of an appropriate material for a specific orthosis requires understanding the fundamental principles of engineering mechanics and materials, improving mechanical properties by heat treatment, and similar means, design, and structure. Sound clinical judgment, combined with consciousness fitting and adjustment of well-designed orthoses, remains the hallmark of orthotic treatment. International standards for terminology should be used to describe orthoses to ensure clarity and precision in prescriptions.
Two auxiliary functions minimize the physical strain of walking: shock absorption and energy conservation. An optimum orthosis should be a replica of a mechanical system that can store these functions. This article overviews lower limb orthoses in classification, design, and construction and their biomechanical implications in usage in patients.
Key words: Orthotics, Lower Limb Orthoses, orthosis, patients, functions, walking, prescription.