Using Orthotics to Impact Gait and Function

Individuals with gait abnormalities can require varied interventions from multiple team members. Currently, the impairment of gait abnormality lacks an effective universal clinical pathway for success. For many individuals having prolonged abnormalities with walking results in pain, premature joint deterioration, and poor energy efficiency. Using orthotics to impact gait allows the attendee to consider orthotics as a tool. The focus is not to accommodate deformity and impairment, but to improve biomechanics of thelower extremity in closed chain to affect joint alignment, muscle length, muscle activation patterns, balance, andenergy efficiency.

This course reviews techniques used to gather pertinent objective information (ex. lower extremity ROM, gait analysis and strength), which are combined with individual-specific factors (ex. home environment, funding options andrehabilitation effort) and goals set by the patient/family/team to guide orthotic recommendation. Clinicians who address gait abnormality with a clinical problem-solving approach, can help individuals and their families become involved in and understand the pathway used to arrive at any orthotic recommendation, as part of their wider rehabilitation plan.

Target Audience: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Athletic Trainers

Highlights

• Best practices for proper use of orthotics to meet theneeds of clients with gait abnormalities
• Improve biomechanics to affect joint alignment, musclelength, muscle activation patterns, balance, and energyefficiency
• Gathering pertinent objective information to formulateorthotic interventions based on musculoskeletal and non- musculoskeletal factors in stance phase and limb clearance in swing