Use and usability of custom-made orthopedic shoes

The goal of this study was to investigate the use of custom-made orthopedic shoes (OS) and the association between the use of OS and the most relevant aspects of their usability. Over a 6-month period, patients meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited by 12 orthopedic shoe companies scattered throughout the Netherlands and asked to complete a questionnaire composed of a pre- and post-OS section. Patients with different pathologies were included in the study (n = 339; response 67%). Mean age of the patients was 63 +/- 15 years, and 38% were male. Three months after delivery, 81% of the patients used their OS frequently (4-7 days/week), 13% occasionally (1-3 days/week), and 6% did not use their OS. Associations were found between use and all measured aspects of usability (p-values varied from <0.001 to 0.028). Patients who used their OS more often had a more positive opinion regarding all the aspects of usability. We conclude that all aspects of the usability of OS are relevant in relation to their use and should be taken into account when prescribing and evaluating OS

An ICF-based education programme in amputation rehabilitation for medical residents in the Netherlands

Background and Aim: Education programmes of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) are directed primarily at prosthetists and orthotists. In a multidisciplinary setting, greater attention should be given to other professionals working in the field of amputation, prosthetics and orthotics. This includes, among others, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and residents and physicians from orthopaedics, vascular surgery and physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). The aim of this paper is to describe the education programme in amputation and prosthetics for residents in PM&R in the Netherlands. The programme is based on concepts of the International Classification on Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Technique: This narrative paper presents the amputation and prosthetics education programme for residents in PM&R in the Netherlands. The programme is based on two models: the ICF and the Canadian Medical Education Directives for Specialists (CanMEDS). Discussion: ICF core sets for amputation and prosthetics need further development. Subsequently, the application of these core sets can help stimulate the education of residents in PM&R, and other multidisciplinary team members who work in amputation rehabilitatio

Fitting transtibial and transfemoral prostheses in persons with a severe flexion contracture:problems and solutions - a systematic review

PURPOSE: In persons with a hip or knee flexion contracture ≥25°, fitting a prosthesis is said to be difficult. This systematic review aims to assess the evidence for fitting of a prosthesis in persons with a severe contracture (≥25°) after a lower limb amputation. METHOD: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and Orthotics & Prosthetics Virtual Library databases were searched from inception to December 2019, using database specific search terms related to amputation, prosthesis, and contracture. Reference lists of included studies were checked for relevant studies. Quality of the included studies was assessed using the critical appraisal checklist for case reports (Joanna Briggs Institute). RESULTS: In total, 13 case studies provided evidence for fitting of a prosthesis in more than 63 persons with a transtibial amputation and three with a transfemoral amputation, all of whom had a hip or knee flexion contracture ≥25°. Some studies found a reduction in contractures after prosthesis use. CONCLUSIONS: Several techniques for fitting a prosthesis in case of a flexion contracture ≥25° were found. Contracture reduction occurred in some cases and was possibly related to prosthesis use. Fitting a transtibial or transfemoral prosthesis in persons with a lower limb amputation with a severe flexion contracture is possible.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThis study provides information on prosthesis prescriptions and adaptations for persons with a transfemoral and transtibial amputation with a flexion contracture ≥25°.The fitting of bent prostheses is not limited by prosthetic components and techniques.Parallel to the use of bent prostheses, it is also important to treat the contracture