A systematic review of randomised controlled trials assessing effectiveness of prosthetic and orthotic interventions

Footwear Choice and Locomotor Health Throughout the Life Course: A Critical Review

Background/objectives: In this paper, we review and discuss epidemiological and experimental evidence on the effects of daily footwear on gait and life-long health. We consider different types of footwear, including "minimal shoes", and their design features, comparing them to barefoot walking, with a focus on overall gait and the function of the heel pad. Methods: Narrative review. Results: We find little evidence for health benefits of most typical shoe design features (e.g., cushioning, raised heels or arch support) for normal walking in healthy individuals, and in several cases (e.g., high heels), there is evidence of detrimental health effects. Conclusions: Based on currently available evidence, we recommend minimal footwear as the default for the general population to stimulate healthy biomechanical aging, with other types of footwear used infrequently or when there is an individual or clinical need.

Effects of trimline cut in ankle foot orthosis: An experimental and finite element analysis

An Ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is a structure that spans from the lower leg to the foot and controls ankle joint movement. It prevents or assists the human body's lower leg and foot in replicating a normal human gait. The purpose of AFO is to achieve a stable gait by controlling the musculoskeletal system adequately. The mechanical features of AFO stiffness will play an essential role in helping gait, if this stiffness is not matching to the patient's conditions, gait will decrease and knee joint motion will be compromised. In general, trimline cut were introduced in the AFO medial and lateral side to control the stiffness of orthosis. However, this will result in stress concentration in the ankle region and lead to failure of AFO. In this study first evaluate the effects of trimline cut in AFOs using finite element analysis with three geometrical shapes like circle, elliptical and slot were introduced on the dorsal side. The stress concentration and stiffness of AFOs in the ankle region were computed. The stiffness of the basic model and trimline cut AFO model were compared and found elliptical trimline cut model is optimum one. The experimental analysis was performed using 3D Printed AFOs and calculated stiffness. It was observed that finite element analysis results, stress concentration of trimline cut models were reduced maximum of 2 % with basic model (without trimline cut)., whereas, in the experimental study of 3D-Printed AFO of trimline cut model, stiffness were reduced around 16 % compared with basic models. This study clearly indicates that, geometrical shapes trimline cut influencing on stiffness of AFOs. It will give the insight's for orthosis designers to make custom design of AFOs in particularly foot drop conditions to optimized the stiffness of orthosis.

Impact of video vector analysis of ankle foot orthoses in children with physical disability: A 10-year clinical review

BACKGROUND

Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) are frequently prescribed to manage gait impairments in children with physical disability, and it is important that AFOs are prescribed and fitted appropriately to maximize potential benefits. AFO tuning, manipulation of the AFO footwear combination (AFO-FC) by means of video vector analysis, is routinely used to optimize AFO use. However, the incidence or types of changes that are implemented after this type of orthotic review are unknown.

RESEARCH QUESTION

To investigate the impact of a multi-disciplinary video vector clinic on AFO provision in children with physical disability.

METHODS

All children who attended a video vector clinic over a period of 10-years from the establishment of the clinic were included in the study. Outcomes of the clinic were grouped into 5 categories: (1) No change to AFO-FC; (2) Altered/tuned AFO-FC; (3) Discontinued AFO-FC; (4) Recast AFO; (5) Change in prescription. Data were summarised narratively.

RESULTS

141 independently ambulant children were included. The diagnoses were bilateral cerebral palsy (39 %, n=55), unilateral cerebral palsy (38 %, n=54), spina bifida (9 %, n=13), hereditary spastic paraparesis (2 %, n=3) and other (11 %, n=16). No changes were made in 52 % of cases (n=74), tuning in 22 % of cases (n=31), the AFO was recast in 13 % of cases (n=19) and discontinued in 10 % of cases (n=14). A prescription change was recommended in 3 % of cases (n=4).

SIGNIFICANCE

Our findings suggest that the video vector clinic is a time efficient and effective means of assessing gait function in children with AFOs. Without assessment at the clinic, most of the children assessed would likely have been referred for a full and more time consuming 3-dimensional gait analysis. Video vector analysis at the initial AFO fitting may improve alignment and possibly reduce non-compliance at an earlier stage.

Orthotic Devices for the Foot and Ankle

Millions of Americans wear ankle-foot orthotic devices for protection, pain relief, and deformity correction. Inquiries about off-the-shelf and custom devices are a common reason for evaluation with a foot and ankle surgeon or general orthopaedic surgeon. Despite limited high-quality evidence for their use, these devices can have a notable clinical impact on physical function. An up-to-date understanding of orthotic device options and their appropriate use in managing musculoskeletal pathologies applies to all orthopaedic providers. This review aims to categorize orthosis types and provide specific device recommendations for common adult conditions such as flatfoot, cavovarus foot, and ankle instability. Collaboration with a certified orthotist can help patients achieve functional and recreational goals with the use of appropriately designed and applied orthoses.

Effect of knee bracing on clinical outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A prospective randomised controlled study

Objectives

While there is a consensus against bracing after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, the question of its potential benefits, especially in cases involving meniscus repair, as well as its routine use by the majority of clinicians, remains a topic of debate. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of bracing in relation to clinical scores after ACL reconstruction, regardless of meniscus surgery.

Methods

This randomised controlled study involved patients aged 15-55 years who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction surgery. All eligible patients were assigned into two groups: one group received an adjustable frame with a four-point fixation knee brace for a four-week period, while the other did not.A single experienced surgeon performed standard anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction. All patients, irrespective of whether they underwent meniscus repair, followed the same rehabilitation protocol. Knee functional questionnaires, including the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm score, Tegner Activity Scale, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and examinations, were collected preoperatively, at six months, one year, and two years postoperatively. The study employed an intention-to-treat analysis and multilevel mixed-effects generalised linear models to compare continuous outcomes between the groups, adjusting for the times of follow-up.

Results

A total of 84 patients (42 patients per group) comprised of 75 males (89 %) and average age of 30 ± 9.4 years old. Patient-reported function, physical examination findings, and surgical characteristics were comparable between the two groups. (P-value >0.05) Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in IKDC and Lysholm scores at the end of the two-year follow-up period. (P-value <0.0001) In multivariate analysis, bracing was significantly associated with lower Tegner activity scale than the non-brace group after adjustment for VAS and time (coefficient -0.49, 95 % confidence interval -0.87, -0.10, P-value = 0.013). None of the graft ruptures were reported, and there was no significant difference of return to sports between the groups at the end of the follow-up.

Conclusion

The study suggests that knee bracing after ACL reconstruction, regardless of any additional meniscus procedures, fails to enhance subjective or objective outcomes and could potentially have a negative impact on the Tegner activity scale, although the difference is not clinically significant. The routine use of a postoperative brace should be discontinued.

Level of evidence

Level I, Randomised controlled trial with no negative criteria.

'A whole different ball game': the qualitative experience of older adults with a transtibial amputation and the use of a self-aligning prosthetic ankle-foot on the STEPFORWARD trial

BACKGROUND

Older patients with lower limb amputation, categorised as having "limited community mobility", are under-researched. Understanding their experience with a new prosthetic ankle-foot is important when designing clinical trials. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the adjustments they made after amputation and the acceptability of a self-aligning ankle-foot (SA-AF) to older adults.

METHODS

Fourteen participants, who took part in the STEPFORWARD randomised controlled feasibility trial (ISRCTN15043643), were purposively recruited; nine were intervention participants and five were standard care participants. They were asked to reflect on their life prior to and consider the adjustments they made following their amputation. Participants in the intervention group were also asked about their views of the new SA-AF compared to their standard non-SA-AF. A thematic analysis was undertaken.

RESULTS

Three broad themes were identified: The impact of the amputation; Role of clinical support; and Experiences of the SA-AF. The findings tell a narrative of the long-term impact that amputation has on these individuals' lives. Participants randomised to receive the SA-AF were very positive about it, reporting less pain, greater mobility and being able to do more.

CONCLUSION

Participants who used the SA-AF found it an acceptable intervention. These findings suggest that a full-scale RCT is warranted.

Rehabilitation of the painful elbow

Although lateral elbow pain and medial ulnar collateral ligament injury are common musculoskeletal pathologies in overhead athletes, the evidence supporting specific interventions for managing these conditions is scarce. Management of these conditions has been guided mostly by expert opinion rather than empirical evidence, yet the lack of comparative data in the literature has not negatively affected return-to-play rates following surgery. However, an understanding of what is known regarding unimodal and multimodal treatments for lateral elbow pain and medial ulnar collateral ligament injury is needed for clinicians to select evidence-based treatment pathways and highlight what is not known to develop future high-quality investigations.

Improving Physical, Physiological, and Psychological Health Outcomes in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers - State of the Art

Diabetic foot disease is a complex and challenging complication of diabetes mellitus, which imposes a significant burden of disease on patients, their carers, and the wider health systems. Recurrence rates are high, and current evidence indicates a high mortality associated with it. While management algorithms have primarily focused on the physical aspects of healing, there is increasing recognition of the critical role played by psychological and biomechanical factors in the development and resolution of diabetic foot disease. Therefore, in this paper, we aim to explore how diabetic foot outcomes can be improved by addressing not only the physical but also the psychological and biomechanical aspects that are integral to the development of this condition and its optimal resolution. We explore new technologies that allow for non-invasive objective assessment of the diabetic foot at risk, and we also explore the role of understanding biomechanics, which is essential to determining risk of foot disease, but also the potential for recurrence. In addition, we discuss the evidence linking depression and cognitive impairment to diabetic foot disease and offer our insight on the research direction required before implementing novel information into front-line clinics.

Implementation of relative phase analysis to evaluate continuous interlimb coordination and stability in individuals with lower limb loss: Design and protocol for a retrospective analysis

INTRODUCTION

The number of people with lower limb loss continues to grow, though most research to date has been non-committal and lacks the appropriate clinical guidance required for proper prosthetic prescription. Previous literature using traditional spatiotemporal and biomechanical measures has not accurately identified differences in gait patterns when using different prosthetic devices. Therefore, a knowledge gap remains. To aid in determining the impact of different devices on gait in individuals with lower limb loss, a more sensitive quantitative measure should be used to supplement traditional biomechanical analyses. Continuous measures of coordination and stability, evaluated using relative phase analysis, has been shown to detect changes in gait patterns when traditional variables cannot. However, these measures have yet to be fully assessed in this population. This investigation will fill the knowledge gap by using relative phase analysis to provide a comprehensive description of kinematic behaviour by evaluating continuous interlimb coordination and stability for individuals with lower limb loss.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Biomechanical analysis of individuals with lower limb loss during walking activities will be evaluated using relative phase analysis to identify the continuous interlimb coordination and stability relationships between the upper and lower extremities of these individuals. Three-dimensional motion capture will enable kinematic properties of movement to be captured and analysed. Non-traditional measures of analysis will be used.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study was approved by the Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System Institutional Review Board (IRBNet #1573135, MIRB #1775). Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, academic conference presentations, invited workshops, webinars and seminars.

Adjustable prosthetic sockets: a systematic review of industrial and research design characteristics and their justifications

BACKGROUND

The prosthetic socket is a key component that influences prosthesis satisfaction, with a poorly fitting prosthetic socket linked to prosthesis abandonment and reduced community participation. This paper reviews adjustable socket designs, as they have the potential to improve prosthetic fit and comfort through accommodating residual limb volume fluctuations and alleviating undue socket pressure.

METHODS

Systematic literature and patent searches were conducted across multiple databases to identify articles and patents that discussed adjustable prosthetic sockets. The patents were used to find companies, organisations, and institutions who currently sell adjustable sockets or who are developing devices.

RESULTS

50 literature articles and 63 patents were identified for inclusion, representing 35 different designs used in literature and 16 commercially available products. Adjustable sockets are becoming more prevalent with 73% of publications (literature, patents, and news) occurring within the last ten years. Two key design characteristics were identified: principle of adjustability (inflatable bladders, moveable panels, circumferential adjustment, variable length), and surface form (conformable, rigid multi-DOF, and rigid single DOF). Inflatable bladders contributed to 40% of literature used designs with only one identified commercially available design (n = 16) using this approach. Whereas circumferential adjustment designs covered 75% of identified industry designs compared to only 36% of literature devices. Clinical studies were generally small in size and only 17.6% of them assessed a commercially available socket.

DISCUSSION

There are clear differences in the design focus taken by industry and researchers, with justification for choice of design and range of adjustment often being unclear. Whilst comfort is often reported as improved with an adjustable socket, the rationale behind this is not often discussed, and small study sizes reduce the outcome viability. Many adjustable sockets lack appropriate safety features to limit over or under tightening, which may present a risk of tissue damage or provide inadequate coupling, affecting function and satisfaction. Furthermore, the relationship between design and comfort or function are rarely investigated and remain a significant gap in the literature. Finally, this review highlights the need for improved collaboration between academia and industry, with a strong disconnect observed between commercial devices and published research studies.

Enhancing Functional Rehabilitation Through Orthotic Interventions for Foot and Ankle Conditions: A Narrative Review

Non-surgical, conservative approaches to foot and ankle conditions are of important consideration. Orthotics play a significant role in treating these conditions, preventing progression, and alleviating pressure on affected areas, thereby promoting normal gait. This article aims to assess the utility and effectiveness of various orthotic treatments in different clinical scenarios. We reviewed 27 peer-reviewed articles using electronic databases, employing keywords such as "orthoses," "orthotic treatment," "arthritis," "neuropathy," and "foot and ankle trauma." Studies conducted in recent decades have explored the effectiveness of orthoses in various conditions, including connective tissue disorders, tendon and ligament injuries, foot arthritis, neuropathic and inflammatory wounds, and sports-related recurrent injuries. Orthotic management has proven effective across diverse foot and ankle conditions. Integrating orthotic treatment with systemic approaches benefits patients with foot and ankle disorders. We believe this review can be utilised by clinicians in the management of foot and ankle disorders.

Upper limb practice with a dynamic hand orthosis to improve arm and hand function in people after stroke: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Dynamic hand orthosis may help upper limb recovery by keeping the wrist and hand in an optimal position while executing a grasp. Our aim was to investigate the feasibility of combining a dynamic hand orthosis with task-oriented upper limb practice after stroke.

METHOD

Fifteen adult stroke survivors were recruited in a single-group, pre-post intervention study. They received 12 weeks of task-oriented upper limb training with a dynamic hand orthosis with 3 weeks supervised at a community rehabilitation unit followed by 9 weeks unsupervised at home. Feasibility was determined by recruitment (proportion of eligible/enrolled and enrolled/retained participants), intervention (adherence, acceptability, and safety) and measurement (time taken to collect outcomes and proportion of participants where all measures were collected). Clinical outcomes were measured at baseline (Week 0), end of Week 3 and Week 12.

RESULTS

Fifteen (46%) of eligible volunteers were enrolled in the study. Eight (53%) of those enrolled completed the 12-week intervention. Eighty eight percent were satisfied or very satisfied with the dynamic hand orthosis. Clinical measures were collected for all participants at baseline and in all those who completed the intervention but often took over one hour to complete. At 12 weeks, participants had improved by 7 points out of 57 (95% CI 2 to 13) on the ARAT and by 8 points out of 66 (95% CI 0 to 15) on the FMA-UE.

CONCLUSION

The intervention appears to be feasible in terms of acceptability and safety, while recruitment and measurement need further consideration. The magnitude of the clinical outcomes suggests that the intervention has a potential to improve both upper limb activity and impairment, and this study provides useful information for the design of a pilot randomized trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03396939.

Osteoarthritis: pathogenic signaling pathways and therapeutic targets

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disorder that leads to disability and affects more than 500 million population worldwide. OA was believed to be caused by the wearing and tearing of articular cartilage, but it is now more commonly referred to as a chronic whole-joint disorder that is initiated with biochemical and cellular alterations in the synovial joint tissues, which leads to the histological and structural changes of the joint and ends up with the whole tissue dysfunction. Currently, there is no cure for OA, partly due to a lack of comprehensive understanding of the pathological mechanism of the initiation and progression of the disease. Therefore, a better understanding of pathological signaling pathways and key molecules involved in OA pathogenesis is crucial for therapeutic target design and drug development. In this review, we first summarize the epidemiology of OA, including its prevalence, incidence and burdens, and OA risk factors. We then focus on the roles and regulation of the pathological signaling pathways, such as Wnt/β-catenin, NF-κB, focal adhesion, HIFs, TGFβ/ΒΜP and FGF signaling pathways, and key regulators AMPK, mTOR, and RUNX2 in the onset and development of OA. In addition, the roles of factors associated with OA, including MMPs, ADAMTS/ADAMs, and PRG4, are discussed in detail. Finally, we provide updates on the current clinical therapies and clinical trials of biological treatments and drugs for OA. Research advances in basic knowledge of articular cartilage biology and OA pathogenesis will have a significant impact and translational value in developing OA therapeutic strategies.

Effects of specialist care lower limb orthoses on personal goal attainment and walking ability in adults with neuromuscular disorders

BACKGROUND

Lower limb orthoses intend to improve walking in adults with neuromuscular disorders (NMD). Yet, reported group effects of lower limb orthoses on treatment outcomes have generally been small and heterogeneous. We propose that guideline-based orthotic care within a multidisciplinary expert setting may improve treatment outcomes.

AIM

To examine the effectiveness of specialist care orthoses compared to usual care orthoses on personal goal attainment and walking ability.

DESIGN

Cohort study.

POPULATION

Adults with NMD who experienced walking problems due to calf and/or quadriceps muscle weakness and were provided with a specialist care lower limb orthosis between October 2011 and January 2021.

METHODS

Three months after provision, the specialist care orthosis was compared to the usual care orthosis worn at baseline in terms of personal goal attainment (Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS)), comfortable walking speed (m/s), net energy cost (J/kg/m) (both assessed during a 6-minute walk test), perceived walking ability and satisfaction.

RESULTS

Sixty-four adults with NMD were eligible for analysis. The specialist care orthoses comprised 19 dorsiflexion-restricting ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs), 22 stance-control knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFOs) and 23 locked KAFOs. Overall, 61% of subjects showed a clinically relevant improvement in GAS score. Perceived safety, stability, intensity, fear of falling and satisfaction while walking all improved (p≤0.002), and subjects were satisfied with their specialist care orthosis and the services provided. Although no effects on walking speed or net energy cost were found in combined orthosis groups, specialist care AFOs significantly reduced net energy cost (by 9.5%) compared to usual care orthoses (from mean (SD) 3.81 (0.97) to 3.45 (0.80) J/kg/m, p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Guideline-based orthotic care within a multidisciplinary expertise setting could improve treatment outcomes in adults with NMD compared to usual orthotic care by improvements in goal attainment and walking ability. A randomized controlled trial is now warranted to confirm these results.

Lateral Elbow Pain and Muscle Function Impairments

Although often described as a self-limiting condition and likely to resolve on its own, high recurrence rates and extended sick leave frame a need for effective non-surgical treatment for people with lateral elbow tendinopathy. The interrelationship of histological and structural changes to the tendon, the associated impairments in motor control, and potential changes in pain processing may all drive symptoms. This clinical practice guideline covers the epidemiology, functional anatomy and pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical course, prognosis, differential diagnosis, tests and measures, and interventions for managing lateral elbow tendinopathy in the physical therapy clinic. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2022;52(12):CPG1-CPG111. doi:10.2519/jospt.2022.0302.

In vivo evidence of lumbricals incursion into the carpal tunnel in healthy hands: An ultrasonographic cross sectional study

INTRODUCTION

During finger flexion, the tendons of flexor digitorum profundus migrate proximally, along with their attached lumbrical muscles. This incursion was suggested to extend into the Carpal Tunnel. Ultrasonographic imaging can be used to assess in vivo soft tissue behavior and incursion.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

To clinically quantify the lumbrical muscles incursion in different finger positions.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross sectional, observational study.

METHODS

The lumbricals of 20 healthy adults with no history of hand injuries were evaluated with neuromuscular ultrasound imaging (n = 160 lumbricals). The lumbrical muscles migration was measured as the participants actively moved their fingers from full extension to 50% flexion, and 100% flexion.

RESULTS

Of the 160 lumbricals measures, the incursion occurred at 18.1% of fingers at 50% finger flexion, and increased to 79.4% during full finger flexion. The lumbricals migrated a total of 2.99 cm after full finger flexion, and ended up 0.76 cm (SD = 0.86 cm) inside the Carpal Tunnel. The metacarpophalangeal joint range of motion of the index finger at the point where the lumbricals entered the distal border of the Transverse Carpal Ligament was 84.4° (SD = 6.8°). The Carpal Tunnel cross-sectional area during finger extension was 1.68 (0.35) cm², and increased to 1.81 (0.33) cm² after full finger flexion.

CONCLUSION

This study showed direct evidence of lumbrical incursion into the Carpal Tunnel during finger flexion. The cross-sectional area of the Carpal Tunnel increased during full finger flexion in comparison to full finger extension, supplementing the evidence of increase content within the Carpal Tunnel. The findings of this study have significant clinical implications for the conservative treatment of the Capral Tunnel Syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome conservative treatment: a literature review

Purpose

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compression neuropathy, which is associated with a significant psy- chosocial and economic burden. In this paper, the literature on the current knowledge about the physiology and pathology of peri- pheral nerves during the course of CTS is reviewed, with a focus on currently used treatment options and the rationale for their use. Epidemiology, risk factors, etiology, clinical features and conservative treatment have been searched for, with all full-text, English language articles being included in the study. This paper aims to present the recent findings on CTS treatment while also suggesting a direction for further clinical trials.

Views

The search in PubMed and Google Scholar Databases revealed 229 articles of which 71 met the research criteria. The evi- dence regarding standard treatment methods of conservative CTS treatment is presented. CTS is a relatively common condition, which affects women more often than men. It is a multifactorial disease, and its clinical presentation mostly consists of symptoms distal to the entrapment site, including numbness, tingling, weakness and pain. Electrodiagnostic studies are considered to be the gold standard in CTS diagnosis. The conservative treatment methods reviewed are acupuncture, extracorporeal shock wave the- rapy, hydrodissection, kinesiotaping, corticosteroid injection, low level laser therapy, splints, platelet-rich plasma injection, manual therapy, ultrasound and phonophoresis.

Conclusions

Based on the current body of knowledge, we conclude that the conservative CTS treatment is very safe, but the effec- tiveness of reviewed methods differs. The first promising results presented by various studies motivate the need for further research on novel treatment methods.

Patient Compliance With Wearing Lower Limb Assistive Devices: A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this scoping review was to identify information on compliance with wearing orthoses and other supportive devices, to discuss the barriers to adherence, and to suggest strategies for improvement based on these findings.

METHODS

Online databases of PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for articles about patients' compliance with regard to lower limb assistive devices. In addition, a methodological quality control process was conducted. Studies were included if in the English language and related to compliance and adherence to the lower limb assistive device. Exclusion was based on first reading the abstract and then the full manuscript confirming content was not related to orthotic devices and compliance.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were included. The data revealed between 6% and 80% of patients were not using a prescribed device. Barriers to the use of the orthotic device included medical, functional, device properties and lack of proper fit. Strategies for improved compliance included better communication between patient and clinician, patient education, and improved comfort and device esthetics.

CONCLUSIONS

Individualized orthotic adjustments, rehabilitation, and patient education were promising for increasing adherence. Despite positive aspects of improvements in gait, balance in elderly, and a sense of security produced by using assistive devices, compliance remains less than ideal due to barriers. As compliance in recent studies has not improved, continued work in this area is essential to realize the benefits of technological advances in orthotic and assistive devices.

A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews on the Epidemiology, Evaluation, and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis

The number of systematic review and meta-analyses on plantar fasciitis is expanding. The purpose of this review was to provide a comprehensive summary of reviews on the topic pertaining to plantar fasciitis, identify any conflicting and inconsistent results, and propose future research direction. A qualitative review of all systematic reviews and meta-analyses related to plantar fasciitis up to February 2021 was performed using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Database. A total of 1052 articles were initially identified and 96 met the inclusion criteria. Included articles were summarized and divided into the following topics: epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment. While the majority of reviews had high level of heterogeneity and included a small number of studies, there was general consensus on certain topics, such as BMI as a risk factor for plantar fasciitis and extracorporeal shockwave therapy as an effective mode of therapy. A qualitative summary of systematic reviews and meta-analyses published on plantar fasciitis provides a single source of updated information for clinicians. Evidence on topics such as the epidemiology, exercise therapy, or cost-effectiveness of treatment options for plantar fasciitis are lacking and warrant future research.

Relationship between degree of disability, usefulness of assistive devices, and daily use duration: an investigation in children with congenital upper limb deficiencies who use upper limb prostheses

Upper limb prostheses can help children with congenital upper limb deficiencies (ULDs) perform activities of daily living. Although the degree of disability and prosthesis usefulness may be related to becoming accustomed to wearing a prosthesis, these relationships have not been confirmed. This study was aimed at investigating the relationship between motor function, the usefulness of prostheses in everyday activities, and daily duration of prosthesis use in children with congenital ULDs. Eleven children with congenital transcarpal or transradial ULDs and their caregivers participated in this study. The caregivers were asked to complete a questionnaire concerning their children's everyday activities and the daily duration of prosthesis wearing. The adaptive behavior scale was used to measure motor function prior to intervention. Correlations analyses revealed no significant correlation between the children's adaptive behavior, including motor skills before intervention, and daily duration of prosthesis wearing, but revealed a positive correlation between the number of activities that the children performed more effectively with their prostheses and the daily use duration. To ensure that children with congenital ULDs become accustomed to wearing their prostheses, the prostheses should meet the requirements of everyday activities.

Effect of Ankle Torque on the Ankle-Foot Orthosis Joint Design Sustainability

The ankle joint of a powered ankle–foot orthosis (PAFO) is a prominent component, as it must withstand the dynamic loading conditions during its service time, while delivering all the functional requirements such as reducing the metabolic effort during walking, minimizing the stress on the user’s joint, and improving the gait stability of the impaired subjects. More often, the life of an AFO is limited by the performance of its joint; hence, a careful design consideration and material selection are required to increase the AFO’s service life. In the present work, a compact AFO joint was designed based on a worm gear mechanism with steel and brass counterparts due to the fact of its large torque transfer capability in a single stage, enabling a compact joint. Further, it provided an added advantage of self-locking due to the large friction that prevents backdrive, which is beneficial for drop-foot recovery. The design was verified using nonlinear finite element analysis for maximum torque situations at the ankle joint during normal walking. The results indicate stress levels within its design performance; however, it is recommended to select high-grade structural steel for the ankle shaft as the highest stresses in AFO were located on it.

Clinical and cost-effectiveness of bracing in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis management: protocol for a multicentre, primary care, randomised, parallel-group, superiority trial

BACKGROUND

Brace effectiveness for knee osteoarthritis (OA) remains unclear and international guidelines offer conflicting recommendations. Our trial will determine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of adding knee bracing (matched to patients' clinical and radiographic presentation and with adherence support) to a package of advice, written information and exercise instruction delivered by physiotherapists.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A multicentre, pragmatic, two-parallel group, single-blind, superiority, randomised controlled trial with internal pilot and nested qualitative study. 434 eligible participants with symptomatic knee OA identified from general practice, physiotherapy referrals and self-referral will be randomised 1:1 to advice, written information and exercise instruction and knee brace versus advice, written information and exercise instruction alone. The primary analysis will be intention-to-treat comparing treatment arms on the primary outcome (Knee Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score (KOOS)-5) (composite knee score) at the primary endpoint (6 months) adjusted for prespecified covariates. Secondary analysis of KOOS subscales (pain, other symptoms, activities of daily living, function in sport and recreation, knee-related quality of life), self-reported pain, instability (buckling), treatment response, physical activity, social participation, self-efficacy and treatment acceptability will occur at 3, 6, and 12 months postrandomisation. Analysis of covariance and logistic regression will model continuous and dichotomous outcomes, respectively. Treatment effect estimates will be presented as mean differences or ORs with 95% CIs. Economic evaluation will estimate cost-effectiveness. Semistructured interviews to explore acceptability and experiences of trial interventions will be conducted with participants and physiotherapists delivering interventions.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

North West Preston Research Ethics Committee, the Health Research Authority and Health and Care Research in Wales approved the study (REC Reference: 19/NW/0183; IRAS Reference: 247370). This protocol has been coproduced with stakeholders including patients and public. Findings will be disseminated to patients and a range of stakeholders.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN28555470.

Cost Analyses of Prosthetic Devices: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To synthesize extant literature on the cost-effectiveness of prosthetic interventions and explore applicability to low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic literature review using subject headings including "prosthetics," "amputation," and "cost analysis" was performed with PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science search engines, yielding 1194 articles. An additional 22 articles were identified via backward citation searching for 1144 total after duplicate removal. The search was last run in May of 2019.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies were included if they conducted an economic analysis of an upper or lower extremity prosthetic device. Studies were excluded if (1) full text was unavailable in English; (2) study was a systematic review or meta-analysis; or (3) study did not have a prosthetic comparison group. Using DistillerSR software, 2 authors independently conducted title and abstract screening. One author conducted full-text screening. The proportion of initially identified studies that met final inclusion criteria was 1% (12 of 1144).

DATA EXTRACTION

Data were dually extracted by 2 authors and reviewed by 3 additional authors.

DATA SYNTHESIS

All included studies (N=12) examined lower extremity amputations comparing advanced technology. No studies were conducted in LMICs. Comparable data between studies demonstrated (1) the cost-effectiveness of microprocessor- over nonmicroprocessor-controlled knees for transfemoral amputation in high-income settings; (2) equivocal findings regarding osseointegrated vs socket-suspended prostheses; and (3) increased cost for ICEX and modular socket systems over patellar tendon-bearing socket systems with no functional improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

There are few prosthetic cost analyses in the literature. Additional analyses are needed to determine the direct and indirect costs associated with prosthetic acquisition, fitting, and maintenance; the costs of amputee rehabilitation; and long-term economic and quality-of-life benefits. Such studies may guide future prosthetic and rehabilitative care, especially in resource-austere settings where prosthetic needs are greatest.

A systematic review of health economic evaluations in orthotics and prosthetics: Part 1 - prosthetics

BACKGROUND

The extent to which current prosthetic health economic evaluations inform healthcare policy and investment decisions is unclear. To further the knowledge in this area, existing evidence gaps and method design issues must be identified, thereby informing the design of future research.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this systematic review was to identify evidence gaps, critical method design and reporting issues and determine the extent to which the literature informs a wide range of policy and investment decisions.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

METHODS

A range of databases were searched using intervention- and health economic evaluation-related terms. Issues with methodological design and reporting were evaluated using the Consolidated Health Economic Checklist - Extended and the Checklist for Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards.

RESULTS

The existing health economic evaluation literature was narrowly focused on informing within-participant component decisions. There were common method design (e.g. time horizon too short) and reporting issues (e.g. competing intervention descriptions) that limit the extent to which this literature can inform policy and investment decisions.

CONCLUSION

There are opportunities to conduct a wider variety of health economic evaluations to support within- and across-sector policy and investment decisions. Changes to aspects of the method design and reporting are encouraged for future research in order to improve the rigour of the health economic evaluation evidence.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This systematic review will inform the clinical focus and method design of future prosthetic health economic evaluations. It will also guide readers and policy-makers in their interpretation of the current literature and their understanding of the extent to which the current literature can be used to inform policy and investment decisions.

Measuring sustainability in healthcare: an analysis of two systems providing insoles to patients with diabetes

There is an increasing demand to quantify the footprints, ecological, economic and social, in terms of the effect of different interventions in healthcare. The aim of this study was to compare two systems providing patients with diabetes with insoles in terms of their ecological, economic and social footprints. Prefabricated insoles (PRI) were compared with custom-made insoles (CMI). Using a welfare-economic monetary approach, costs were estimated for (1) treatment, (2) travelling to and from the hospital in terms of both fuel and time consumed by the patients and (3) society through emissions contributing to climate change. The proportion of patients/year that could be supplied within the same budget, for each individual treatment, was calculated. The cost of the insoles was 825 SEK (PRI) and 1450 SEK (CMI), respectively. The cost, mean value/patient due to the consumption of patients' time at the department, was 754 SEK (PRI) and 1508 SEK (CMI), respectively. Emissions, in terms of CO₂ equivalent, were 13.7 (PRI) and 27.4 (CMI), respectively. Using PRI, a total of 928 patients could be provided/year compared with 500 patients if CMI are used. By using PRI, the cost/treatment was reduced by 46%. The cost of treatment dominated and the cost of time consumed by patients were also substantial. The societal cost of contributing to climate change was of low importance. By using PRI, the needs of 86% more patients could be met within the same budget. Using these methods, the contribution of healthcare systems to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals approved by the UN can be quantified.

Low Dose Radiation Therapy, Particularly with 0.5 Gy, Improves Pain in Degenerative Joint Disease of the Fingers: Results of a Retrospective Analysis

Low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) has been successfully established for decades as an alternative analgesic treatment option for patients suffering from chronic degenerative and inflammatory diseases. In this study, 483 patients were undergoing LDRT for degenerative joint disease of the fingers and thumb at the University Hospital Erlangen between 2004 and 2019. Radiotherapy was applied according to the German guidelines for LDRT. Several impact factors on therapeutic success, such as the age and gender, the number of affected fingers, the single and cumulative dose, as well as the number of series, were investigated. In summary, 70% of the patients showed an improvement of their pain following LDRT. No significant impact was found for the factors age, gender, the number of series or the cumulative dosage. Patients with an involvement of the thumb showed a significantly worse outcome compared to patients with an isolated affection of the fingers. In this cohort, patients receiving a single dose of 0.5 Gy reported a significantly better outcome than patients receiving 1.0 Gy, strongly suggesting a reduction in the total dose. In summary, LDRT is a good alternative treatment option for patients suffering from degenerative and inflammatory joint disease of the fingers.

Foot orthoses for people with rheumatoid arthritis, involving quantitative and qualitative outcomes: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves changes to foot structure and function, and there is an association between RA and foot pain. This pain affects those patient's physical activity and experience of daily living. While there is clinical evidence for the value of foot orthoses (FO) on foot pain, there is a wide range of FO available and there is little evidence on the relative benefits of one orthoses type over another, especially in terms of their impact on physical activity and associated well-being. The aim of this study is to compare physical activity, general and foot health and foot health experiences in people with RA when wearing three different types of FO.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A randomised controlled trial with three arms will compare the effects of (1) custom FO made using a direct adaptation technique, (2) custom FO made through a digital design and production process and (3) prefabricated orthoses. The primary outcome is physical activity measured using a GENEActiv bracelet. Secondary outcomes will be pain, function and disability and associated foot and general health evaluated using existing questionnaires. Semistructured interviews will identify patients' experiences of the orthoses and living with RA.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study has been approved by the Portal de Ética de la Investigación Biomédica de Andalucía ethical committee (SPAR-001). The results will be disseminated regardless of the magnitude or direction of effect.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03170947; Pre-results.

Technology for monitoring everyday prosthesis use: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Understanding how prostheses are used in everyday life is central to the design, provision and evaluation of prosthetic devices and associated services. This paper reviews the scientific literature on methodologies and technologies that have been used to assess the daily use of both upper- and lower-limb prostheses. It discusses the types of studies that have been undertaken, the technologies used to monitor physical activity, the benefits of monitoring daily living and the barriers to long-term monitoring, with particular focus on low-resource settings.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL and EMBASE of studies that monitored the activity of prosthesis users during daily-living.

RESULTS

Sixty lower-limb studies and 9 upper-limb studies were identified for inclusion in the review. The first studies in the lower-limb field date from the 1990s and the number has increased steadily since the early 2000s. In contrast, the studies in the upper-limb field have only begun to emerge over the past few years. The early lower-limb studies focused on the development or validation of actimeters, algorithms and/or scores for activity classification. However, most of the recent lower-limb studies used activity monitoring to compare prosthetic components. The lower-limb studies mainly used step-counts as their only measure of activity, focusing on the amount of activity, not the type and quality of movements. In comparison, the small number of upper-limb studies were fairly evenly spread between development of algorithms, comparison of everyday activity to clinical scores, and comparison of different prosthesis user populations. Most upper-limb papers reported the degree of symmetry in activity levels between the arm with the prosthesis and the intact arm.

CONCLUSIONS

Activity monitoring technology used in conjunction with clinical scores and user feedback, offers significant insights into how prostheses are used and whether they meet the user's requirements. However, the cost, limited battery-life and lack of availability in many countries mean that using sensors to understand the daily use of prostheses and the types of activity being performed has not yet become a feasible standard clinical practice. This review provides recommendations for the research and clinical communities to advance this area for the benefit of prosthesis users.

The effect of tuning ankle foot orthoses-footwear combinations on gait kinematics of children with cerebral palsy: A case series

STUDY DESIGN

Case series.

BACKGROUND

AFOs are a commonly prescribed medical device given to children with cerebral palsy (CP) in an attempt to improve their gait. The current literature is equivocal on the effects AFOs have on the gait of children with CP. The vast majority of AFOs issued are not subject to AFO-FC tuning. There are emerging studies investigating the effects tuning AFO-FCs has on the gait of children with CP. However, the research is limited, and there is a lack of quantitative data.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the kinematics of tuned versus non-tuned gait in children with CP.

METHODS

Gait analysis assessment of five children aged between 7-11 years with a diagnosis of CP (one hemiplegic and four diplegic participants, two female, three male, with a Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) of 2) at a Gait Analysis Laboratory.

RESULTS

In comparison to barefoot and non-tuned gait, walking with a tuned AFO-FC produced improvements in several key gait parameters. Including hip flexion and extension, posterior pelvic tilt and knee extension. Results also indicated that the type of gait pattern demonstrated by the participant affected the outcomes of tuning.

CONCLUSIONS

Tuning the AFO-FC of children with CP has the potential to improve hip function, pelvic function, knee extension in stance phase and knee flexion during swing phase and that a non-tuned AFO-FC can potentially decrease hip function, posterior pelvic tilt and increase knee extension.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Whilst AFO-FC tuning has been recommended for routine clinical practice, there still remains a paucity of research on the kinematic effects of using a tuned AFO-FC compared to a non-tuned. This paper provides a comparison of kinematics on children with CP, during barefoot, non-tuned and tuned AFO-FC walking with a view to inform clinical practice.

Development and Evaluation of a Customized Wrist-Hand Orthosis using 3D Technology for a Child with Cerebral Palsy - A Case Study

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a disability that affects more than 100 million children. More than 60% of these children have significant difficulties within their hand abilities, affected by involuntary movements and spasticity. So, to overcome this issue, orthoses are being employed as therapeutic intervention and can allow children with CP to have an opportunity to better use their hands. Three-dimensional (3D) technologies provide the generation of high-quality orthopedic products. Although, there are limited studies related to the evaluation of such assistive devices, especially for children. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to design, develop and evaluate a customized wrist-hand orthosis using 3D technologies for a child with CP. So, it was used a high-level 3D scanning to acquire the wrist-hand anatomy, a free software for 3D modelling and a low-cost 3D printer for manufacturing the orthosis. The Jebsen-Taylor Test of Hand Function (JTTHF) was used to evaluate unilateral hand abilities. We noticed improvements while wearing the orthosis at the affected hand, in the following subtests: writing (13 s), lifting small objects (0.9 s) and simulated feeding (69.3 s). The customized orthosis was able not only to improve some functional hand skills, but also to provide comfort, better fitting and with an appealing aesthetic design.

[Expert assessment of lower extremity prosthetics]

Although the number of major amputations is declining throughout Germany, more than 57,000 surgical procedures for amputation still take place. As a consequence of high prosthetic care costs, these often lead to disputes before the social court in which expert medical opinions are required. With knowledge of the legal norms, the remit of the expert opinion can be fulfilled. The expert begins with evaluation of the patient's file and a search of the contested parts. The investigation includes a medical history, in addition to a physical examination, in order to be able to comment on the disputed beneficial use of the therapeutic appliance and respond to questions of proof. Questionnaires may be helpful.

A scoping literature review of studies assessing effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of prosthetic and orthotic interventions

Purpose: Approximately 1.5% of the world's population (∼100 million people) need a prosthesis/orthosis. The objective of the study was to establish an overview of the literature that has examined prosthetic and orthotic interventions with a view to inform policy development.Methods: Fourteen databases were searched from 1995-2015. Studies reporting primary research on the effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of prosthetic and orthotic interventions were examined. Metadata and information on study characteristics were extracted from the included studies.Results: The searches resulted in a total of 28,958 articles, a focus on studies with the words "randomized" OR "randomized" OR "cost" OR "economic" in their citation reduced this total to 2644. Research has predominantly been conducted in Australia, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, UK and USA. A total of 346 randomized controlled trials were identified, with only four randomized controlled trials examining prosthetic interventions. The majority of research examined lower limb orthoses in the adult population and used a wide range of outcome measures.Conclusions: While various international organizations have highlighted the value of providing prosthetic and orthotic services, both to the user and society as a whole, the availability of scientific research to inform policy is limited. Future structured evaluation of prosthetic and orthotic interventions/services is warranted to inform future policy developments.Implications for rehabilitationResearch into prosthetic and orthotic interventions has grown substantially in the last 20 years, with most of this research conducted in a small number of countries and focusing on the use of lower limb orthotics in adult populations.Research to date has utilized an extensive range of outcome measures, the development of agreed standardized sets of outcomes would allow comparison and combination of results in future research.This study highlights the need for further research in this area, especially studies which examine the cost-effectiveness of prosthetic and orthotic provision.

Selective Dorsal Root Rhizotomy for Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Longitudinal Case-Control Analysis of Functional Outcome

BACKGROUND

The benefit of selective dorsal rhizotomies (SDR) on motor function relative to the cerebral palsy (CP) natural history remains unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the functional benefit of SDR over the longitudinal CP natural history.

METHODS

Retrospective, single-center, case-control study of patients post-SDR after 1990. Inclusion criteria were the following: diagnosis of spastic CP, at least 1 preoperative and 1 postoperative Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88), at least 1 yr of postoperative follow-up. GMFM-88 assessments were performed at 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, and 15 yr postoperatively and converted to GMFM-66. Cases were stratified by preoperative Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and matched against their expected natural history using published reference centiles. After age 12, our cohort and matched controls were also fitted to published nonlinear mixed models of GMFM-66 evolution over time.

RESULTS

Analysis included 190 patients. Median follow-up, 5.3 yr (range: 1-16.9), median age at surgery, 4.6 yr, and 81.6% of patients grouped as GMFCS II or III pre-op. SDR patients performed statistically significantly better than their expected natural history (P &lt; .0005). At 21 yr old, a modeled benefit of 8.435 was observed for GMFCS I (P = .0051), 0.05 for GMFCS II (P = .9647), 6.31 for GMFCS III (P &lt; .0001), and 1.191 for GMFCS IV patients (P = .0207).

CONCLUSION

These results support the use of SDR in carefully selected spastic CP children.

Wearing Time of Ankle-Foot Orthoses with Modular Shank Supply in Cerebral Palsy: A Descriptive Analysis in a Clinically Prospective Approach

Objective

To date there is only limited knowledge about the wearing time of orthoses. Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) have not been studied with this research question. Additional influences of the orthotic design as well as weekdays and the weekend are also unknown.

Design

Monocentric, clinically prospective intervention study.

Patients

Inclusion of 10 patients with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy.

Methods

Equipment of all subjects with a dynamic ankle-foot orthosis (DAFO) and modular shank supply (MSS, dynamic elastic shank adaptation or ground reaction AFO). Integration of temperature sensors for recording the wearing time for a period of 3 months.

Results

The actual wearing time was below the recommendations on actually worn days as well as the average of the entire study period. In addition, the actual usage in terms of days and hours was well below the recommendations. The wearing time showed differences between weekdays and weekend. Differences between DAFO and MSS were not detectable.

Conclusion

The actual usage behavior of ankle-foot orthoses differs from the recommendations of the prescriber. This applies to both DAFOs and modular use with shank supplies. Environmental factors may have a significant impact on wearing times on weekdays and the weekend.

The added value of orthotic management in the context of multi-level surgery in children with cerebral palsy

BACKGROUND

Treatment of cerebral palsy includes an interdisciplinary concept and in more severe cases the well-established multi-level surgery (MLS). Different kinds of orthoses are typically part of postoperative treatment but there is a lack of knowledge about their additional benefit.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Do ankle foot orthoses lead to an additional, measurable improvement of gait after MLS?

METHODS

20 children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (9 retrospective, 11 in a postoperative clinical routine) were included. All had a preoperative gait analysis before MLS. Postoperatively, they were fitted with different ankle foot orthoses (AFO), depending on their individual needs. Dynamic ankle foot orthoses (DAFO), combined DAFO with additional dynamic, elastic shank adaptation (DESA) and ground reaction force AFOs (GRAFO) were used. Patients underwent a second gait analysis 1.5 (± 0.6) years postoperatively barefoot and with orthoses. Data analysis included testing for normal distribution (Shapiro-Wilk-Test) and further nonparametric statistical testing on basis of a Wilcoxon Single-Rank Test.

RESULTS

The operation produced changes in the hip, knee and ankle joint, and the pelvis. Spatiotemporal parameters showed significant changes due to additional use of the orthoses. Further, additional kinematic changes occurred at the hip, knee and ankle joint as well as the foot. The Gillette Gait Index (GGI) improved significantly by supplementary orthoses, but not by surgery alone. The Gait Profile Score (GPS) and Gait Deviation Index (GDI) rather showed changes due to the surgery.

SIGNIFICANCE

MLS significantly improves GPS and GDI more than a year after surgery, which can be interpreted as an improvement in gait pattern. In contrast, the GGI is improved by additional postoperative orthotic treatment, which implies that walking ability itself has improved, rather than the gait pattern. Orthoses show a positive additional effect on surgical results at different anatomical levels. Spatiotemporal parameters are positively influenced solely by additional orthotic support.

A Review on the Control of the Mechanical Properties of Ankle Foot Orthosis for Gait Assistance

In the past decade, advanced technologies in robotics have been explored to enhance the rehabilitation of post-stroke patients. Previous works have shown that gait assistance for post-stroke patients can be provided through the use of robotics technology in ancillary equipment, such as Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO). An AFO is usually used to assist patients with spasticity or foot drop problems. There are several types of AFOs, depending on the flexibility of the joint, such as rigid, flexible rigid, and articulated AFOs. A rigid AFO has a fixed joint, and a flexible rigid AFO has a more flexible joint, while the articulated AFO has a freely rotating ankle joint, where the mechanical properties of the AFO are more controllable compared to the other two types of AFOs. This paper reviews the control of the mechanical properties of existing AFOs for gait assistance in post-stroke patients. Several aspects that affect the control of the mechanical properties of an AFO, such as the controller input, number of gait phases, controller output reference, and controller performance evaluation are discussed and compared. Thus, this paper will be of interest to AFO researchers or developers who would like to design their own AFOs with the most suitable mechanical properties based on their application. The controller input and the number of gait phases are discussed first. Then, the discussion moves forward to the methods of estimating the controller output reference, which is the main focus of this study. Based on the estimation method, the gait control strategies can be classified into subject-oriented estimations and phase-oriented estimations. Finally, suggestions for future studies are addressed, one of which is the application of the adaptive controller output reference to maximize the benefits of the AFO to users.