A micro silicone oil liquid spring was designed and manufactured in this article. The performance of the liquid spring was studied by simulation analysis and mechanical test. A self-force source power-assisted knee orthosis was designed based on the liquid spring. This power-assisted knee orthosis can convert the kinetic energy of knee flexion into the elastic potential energy of liquid spring for storage, and release elastic potential energy to generate assisted torque which drives the knee joint for extension. The results showed that the average maximum reset force of the liquid spring was 1 240 N, and the average maximum assisted torque for the knee joint was 29.8 N·m. A musculoskeletal multibody dynamic model was used to analyze the biomechanical effect of the knee orthosis on the joint during knee bending (90°knee flexion). The results showed that the power-assisted knee orthosis could effectively reduce the biomechanical load of the knee joint for the user with a body weight of 80 kg. The maximum forces of the femoral-tibial joint force, patellar-femoral joint force, and quadriceps-ligament force were reduced by 24.5%, 23.8%, and 21.2%, respectively. The power-assisted knee orthosis designed in this article provides sufficient assisted torque for the knee joint. It lays a foundation for the subsequent commercial application due to its small size and lightweight.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Knee Joint ; Femur ; Ligaments ; Orthotic Devices

A 3D printing based wrist orthosis device was developed. After collecting the contour information of the carpal and metacarpophalangeal joints of the patients with a 3D scanner, the wrist orthotics were designed to meet the individual needs of the patients according to the relevant requirements of biomechanics. Choose TPU (thermoplastic polyurethanes) materials for preparation of 3D printing. It can functionally assist the smart brace after stroke patients with hemiplegia early rehabilitation training, the use of orthoses carry MPU6050 inertial sensor, magnetometer, time module device such as a sensor and monitor its movements and record the training time, ensure safe efficient rehabilitation training, help patients return to a normal life as soon as possible.
Humans ; Orthotic Devices ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Stroke ; Wrist ; Wrist Joint

Forefoot disorders are often seen in clinical practice. Forefoot deformity and pain can deteriorate gait function and decrease quality of life. This review presents common forefoot disorders and conservative treatment using an insole or orthosis. Metatarsalgia is a painful foot condition affecting the metatarsal (MT) region of the foot. A MT pad, MT bar, or forefoot cushion can be used to alleviate MT pain. Hallux valgus is a deformity characterized by medial deviation of the first MT and lateral deviation of the hallux. A toe spreader, valgus splint, and bunion shield are commonly applied to patients with hallux valgus. Hallux limitus and hallux rigidus refer to painful limitations of dorsiflexion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. A kinetic wedge foot orthosis or rocker sole can help relieve symptoms from hallux limitus or rigidus. Hammer, claw, and mallet toes are sagittal plane deformities of the lesser toes. Toe sleeve or padding can be applied over high-pressure areas in the proximal or distal interphalangeal joints or under the MT heads. An MT off-loading insole can also be used to alleviate symptoms following lesser toe deformities. Morton's neuroma is a benign neuroma of an intermetatarsal plantar nerve that leads to a painful condition affecting the MT area. The MT bar, the plantar pad, or a more cushioned insole would be useful. In addition, patients with any of the above various forefoot disorders should avoid tight-fitting or high-heeled shoes. Applying an insole or orthosis and wearing proper shoes can be beneficial for managing forefoot disorders.
Animals ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Foot ; Foot Orthoses ; Gait ; Hallux ; Hallux Limitus ; Hallux Rigidus ; Hallux Valgus ; Hammer Toe Syndrome ; Head ; Hoof and Claw ; Humans ; Joints ; Metatarsal Bones ; Metatarsalgia ; Metatarsophalangeal Joint ; Neuroma ; Orthotic Devices ; Quality of Life ; Shoes ; Splints ; Toes

INTRODUCTION: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a common orthopaedic condition at birth. Non-surgical management with the Pavlik harness can effectively treat DDH in the newborn by providing an early clinical diagnosis, but open surgeries continue to be performed. We aimed to elucidate the reasons for this. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all open surgeries related to DDH from 2006 to 2016. Patients were either born at our institution (Group 1) or outside of it (Group 2). All Group 1 newborns were routinely screened for DDH at birth. RESULTS: 27 patients (Group 1: n = 5, Group 2: n = 22) presented at age 25 ± 19 months. Left-sided DDH (n = 21, 77.8%) and female infants (n = 22, 81.5%) were more common. The mean age at surgery was 40 ± 31 months. The most commonly performed procedure was soft tissue release open reduction with acetabuloplasty (n = 20, 74.1%). Gender, site, median age at presentation and at surgery, and prevalence of risk factors were similar for both groups. Both groups were mostly made up of late presenters (> 3 months; p = 0.34). A few patients had undergone prior treatment (p = 0.64). Newborn screening was the only significantly different variable between the groups (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Lack of institutionalised newborn clinical screening appears to be the root cause of late presentation of DDH leading to open surgery for its management. We recommend quality institutionalised newborn clinical screening to reduce the number of late presentations.
Acetabuloplasty ; adverse effects ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Hip Dislocation, Congenital ; surgery ; Hip Joint ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Neonatal Screening ; methods ; Orthotic Devices ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Unnecessary Procedures

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, conservative management with an offloading orthosis, such as total contact cast (TCC), has been the standard of care for midfoot Charcot arthropathy. Considering complications of TCC and surgery, we treated midfoot Charcot arthropathy without TCC in our patients. The purpose of this study was to report clinical and radiological outcomes of conservative management of midfoot Charcot arthropathy. METHODS: A total of 34 patients (38 feet) who were diagnosed as having midfoot Charcot arthropathy between 2006 and 2014 were included. Patients started full weight bearing ambulation in a hard-soled shoe immediately after diagnosis. Outcomes such as progression of arch collapse, bony prominence, ulcer occurrence, limb amputation, and changes in Charcot stage were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 38 feet, arch collapse was observed in four while progression of bottom bump of the midfoot was observed in five feet. Foot ulcers related to bony bumps were found in two feet. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative treatment without restriction of ambulation is recommended for midfoot Charcot arthropathy because it is rarely progressive, unlike hindfoot-ankle arthropathy. In some cases, simple bumpectomy can be required to prevent catastrophic infection.
Amputation ; Arthropathy, Neurogenic ; Diagnosis ; Extremities ; Foot ; Foot Ulcer ; Humans ; Orthotic Devices ; Shoes ; Standard of Care ; Ulcer ; Walking ; Weight-Bearing

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long termeffect of custom-molded foot orthoses on foot pain and balance ability in children with symptomatic flexible flat feet after 1 year.METHOD: A total of 35 children over 6 year-old with flexible flat feet and foot pain for at least 6 months were recruited. Individual custom-molded rigid foot orthoses fabricated with the inverted orthotic technique was prescribed. Pain related parameters (pain sites, degree, and frequency) were obtained through questionnaires. Pain assessment was performed prior to application of the foot orthoses, and 1, 3, 6, 12 months after applying the orthoses. Balance ability was tested by computerized posturography. Such measures were evaluated prior to, 3 months, and 12 months after applying the foot orthoses. Additionally, the difference inbalance ability between barefoot and withfoot orthosesat 12 months was assessed to estimate carryover effect.RESULTS: 17 out of 35 children completed the study. Significant improvements were noted upto 12 months in pain parameters and balance ability. The carry over effect of the orthoses was confirmed.CONCLUSION: There were significant improvements offoot pain and balance ability in children with symptomatic flexible flat foot after wearing foot orthoses fabricated with the inverted orthotic technique over 1year period.
Child ; Flatfoot ; Foot Orthoses ; Foot ; Humans ; Methods ; Orthotic Devices ; Pain Measurement ; Pediatrics ; Postural Balance

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of the size of low intensity zone (LIZ) (T1 image) on the vertebral body and the increase in the compression rate in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, 187 patients (198 segments) who were followed-up for at least 3 months and diagnosed with thoracolumbar vertebral compression fracture between October 2011 and October 2016, and treated with conservative therapies, such as bed rest and thoraco-lumbar-sacral orthosis. We measured the size of the vertebral LIZ, and fractures on the upper and lower endplates were observed on the initial magnetic resonance imaging. We analyzed the correlation with the increase in compression rate at the last follow-up. Comparisons of the increase in the compression rate were analyzed through a correlation analysis. RESULTS: The larger the size of the LIZ the greater the difference in the increase of the compression rate. The group with the initially LIZ (80%–100%) was significantly increased to 23.87%±17.90% (p=0.007). In case of fracture of upper and lower endplates, an increase in the compression rate was 19.39%±12.59% in the upper endplate fracture, which was significantly higher than that in the absence of endplate fracture (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The larger the size of the LIZ (T1 image) and superior endplate fracture observed on the initial magnetic resonance imaging after fracture, the greater the increase in the compression rate. In particular, when the size of the LIZ is greater than 80%, the compression rate was significantly increased.
Bed Rest ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Compression* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Orthotic Devices ; Osteoporosis ; Retrospective Studies

The application of three-dimensional (3D) printing is growing explosively in the medical field, and is especially widespread in the clinical use of fabricating upper limb orthosis and prosthesis. Advantages of 3D-printed orthosis compared to conventional ones include its lower cost, easier modification, and faster fabrication. Hands are the most common body parts involved with burn victims and one of the main complications of hand burns are finger joint contractures. Applying orthotic devices such as finger splints are a well-established essential element of burn care. In spite of the rapid evolution of the clinical use of 3D printing, to our knowledge, its application to hand burn patients has not yet been reported. In this study, the authors present a series of patients with hand burn injuries whose orthotic needs were fulfilled with the application of 3D-printed finger splints.
Burns* ; Contracture ; Finger Joint ; Fingers* ; Hand* ; Human Body ; Humans ; Orthotic Devices ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Prostheses and Implants ; Splints* ; Upper Extremity

This paper reviews previous studies on the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in elderly patients to determine what factors should be considered for successful treatment. In osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, the primary treatment is conservative treatments. Other treatments include osteoporosis treatment, pain control, orthosis, and physical therapy. Recently, percutaneous catheterization or balloon plasty is performed for rapid pain recovery and early ambulation. Percutaneous catheterization or balloon posterior plasty is effective in reducing pain and improving the activity ability. Surgical treatment should be considered in cases of nonunion or osteonecrosis, dent, deformation, and spinal cord compression after conservative treatment has failed. In surgical treatment, posterior spinal fixation and vertebroplasty are more advantageous in terms of the amount of bleeding, operation time compared to the anterior approach, but the most appropriate method should be selected through the patient's condition and understanding of each surgical method.
Aged ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Early Ambulation ; Fractures, Compression ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Methods ; Orthotic Devices ; Osteonecrosis ; Osteoporosis ; Spinal Cord Compression ; Vertebroplasty

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effectiveness of and parents’ perspectives on cranial-molding orthotic treatment. METHODS: Medical charts were reviewed for 82 infants treated for plagiocephaly with cranial-molding orthoses in our clinic from April 2012 to July 2016 retrospectively. Infants who were clinically diagnosed with positional plagiocephaly and had a Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI) of more than 3.5% were included. Pre- and post-treatment CVAI was obtained by three-dimensional head-surface laser scan. Parents’ perceptions of good outcome (satisfaction) were evaluated with the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS). The GAS score assessed how much the parent felt that his or her initial goal for correcting the skull asymmetry was achieved after the treatment. RESULTS: The compliance with cranial-molding orthoses was 90.2% (74 of 82 infants). There were 53 infants (65% of the 82 infants) who had adverse events with the cranial-molding orthoses during the study. Heat rash was found in 29 cases (35.4%) and was the most common adverse event. The mean GAS T-score was 51.9±10.2. A GAS T-score of 0 or more was identified for 71.6% of parents. The GAS T-score was significantly related to the age (p < 0.001), the initial CVAI, and the difference of CVAI during the treatment (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Parents’ perception of good outcome was correlated with the anthropometric improvement in cranialmolding orthotic treatment in infants with plagiocephaly. A high percentage of parents felt that the treatment met their initial goals in spite of a high occurrence of adverse events.
Compliance ; Exanthema ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Infant* ; Orthotic Devices* ; Parents ; Plagiocephaly* ; Plagiocephaly, Nonsynostotic ; Retrospective Studies ; Skull ; Treatment Outcome*