Ascent-descent studies show benefits of Proprio-Foot adaptive technology
Two recent studies from the University of Heidelberg in Germany document the biomechanical advantages of the adaptive microprocessor technology in Ossur’s Proprio-Foot when walking on stairs or ramps.
In the first study, published in the October issue of Gait & Posture, the German researchers analyzed 16 healthy controls and 16 unilateral transtibial amputees during stair ascent and descent. The amputees were analyzed under two conditions, with the Proprio-Foot was set to a neutral ankle angle and with it adapted to 4º of dorsiflexion. Sagittal plane kinematics and kinetics in the involved limb of the amputees were noticably improved under the adapted condition, with increases in knee flexion angle and knee moment during stance.
In the second study, published in the December issue of Clinical Biomechanics, socket pressure was analyzed in 12 unilateral transtibial amputees during five walking conditions: level walking, ramp ascent, ramp descent, stair ascent, and stair descent.
The researchers found significant increases in pressure at different socket locations during ascent and descent, although they noted considerable variation between subjects. At the calf muscle, mean peak pressures reached 2.4 kPa/kg during incline ascent compared to 2.1 kPa/kg during level walking. At the stump end of the socket, pressure time integral was almost twice as high during ramp descent as during level walking.
However, adapting the ankle angle of the prosthesis modified the pressure values during ascent and descent so that they were closer to those seen during level walking. This may be related in part to the aforementioned changes in joint kinetics; for example, a strong correlation was found between peak knee moment and socket pressure during stair ascent.
WalkAide effects persist for 11 months
The orthotic effect of the WalkAide functional electrical stimuation device (from Austin, TX-based Innovative Neurotronics) persists after 11 months of use regardless of indication, according to a study led by the inventor of the device. The duration of the therapeutic effect, however depends on the progressive nature of the underlying condition.
Richard Stein, PhD, professor of physiology at the University of Alberta, and colleagues analyzed the long-term effects of the WalkAide on foot drop in 41 patients with nonprogressive neurological conditions (e.g., stroke) and 32 patients with progressive conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis).
After three months of use, patients in both groups demonstrated an orthotic effect (with the device on) and a therapeutic effect (with the device off) of the WalkAide on walking speed during a four-minute figure-8 walking test. At 11 months, an orthotic effect was observed in both groups for the same test, but only those in the nonprogressive group demonstrated a therapeutic effect.
The results were e-published on October 21 in Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair.
Fillauer expands with OTS acquisition
Chattanooga, TN-based Fillauer Companies announced in October its acquisition of Weaverville, NC-based OTS, a company that serves multiple niches in the lower extremity device marketplace.
Founded in 1978 as OTS Central Fabrication, OTS subsequently created new divisions for the manufacture of orthotic components and the PDQ Quartz Infrared Ovens. The company is headquartered in Weaverville but also has a machining facility in Bradenton, FL.
Fillauer officials anticipate that the OTS line of ovens will extend and complement its existing Trautman Tools and Equipment, and that OTS orthotic components such as StepLock, InterLock, Close Contour and Integrated Ankle will broaden the Fillauer orthotic line with little overlap. The OTS orthotic central fabrication department in North Carolina will expand Fillauer’s existing services currently offered in Chattanooga and Campbell, CA.
“We are looking forward to moving OTS to a new level of service and innovation,” said Timothy Pansiera, CO, founder of OTS, who will remain with the company as director of product development. “Fillauer Companies possess a great combination of business management, educational training and engineering abilities that we feel will enhance our growth within our new family of companies. The nicest part of this merger is that our customers will find all of their favorite OTS personnel are still there to help them.”
ProLab launches orthotic web resource
Foot orthotic laboratory ProLab Orthotics announced in October the launch of an online orthotic therapy information resource for practitioners, residents and students at www.prolaborthotics.com.
The website offers visitors unlimited access to orthotic therapy information, including clinical resources, case studies, articles, references, online practice management tools and an orthotic therapy blog.
Citing an information void, ProLab CEO Paul R. Scherer, DPM, wanted to offer practitioners and students a single source where they could find credible orthotic therapy information. The site is an extension of Prolab’s ongoing support of education through funding of scholarships, student programs, unrestricted educational conference grants, and onsite seminars.
The site is particularly useful for students, according to Larry Huppin, DPM, an assistant professor of biomechanics at the California College of Podiatric Medicine.
“It’s really a powerful tool for students to have,” Huppin said. “They can search within ProLab’s website and instantly get a definition or detailed description of a pathology.”
