Academic Journal
The effect of thickness variation on the rigidity of ankle foot orthoses provided to the NHS : a case for the need for quality control
| Τίτλος: | The effect of thickness variation on the rigidity of ankle foot orthoses provided to the NHS : a case for the need for quality control |
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| Συγγραφείς: | Chatzistergos, Panagiotis E., Eddison, Nicola, Theodorakos, Ilias, Chockalingam, Nachiappan |
| Στοιχεία εκδότη: | Elsevier Ltd |
| Έτος έκδοσης: | 2025 |
| Συλλογή: | University of Malta: OAR@UM / L-Università ta' Malta |
| Θεματικοί όροι: | Orthopedic apparatus, Foot -- Abnormalities -- Treatment, Ankle -- Wounds and injuries, Foot -- Movements, Joints -- Range of motion -- Measurement, Ankle -- Movement disorders -- Diagnosis |
| Περιγραφή: | Background: Drape-forming is a cost-effective method used worldwide to manufacture bespoke ankle foot orthoses (AFOs). It involves draping a heated polymer material sheet over a positive cast of the user’s limb. Previous research has shown that the manual nature of drape-forming can influence the thickness of the final AFO and even lead to structures that are inadequately rigid to be clinically effective. This study assesses the difference between the prescribed and the final thickness of AFOs meant for use by UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and estimates its potential impact on AFO rigidity. Methods: A clinically relevant method to measure AFO thickness as part of the manufacturing process was developed and validated. This method was used by three major UK manufacturers for all bespoke rigid AFOs they provided to the NHS within a predefined period. A validated finite element model was used to estimate the impact of the observed difference between prescribed and final thickness on AFO stiffness. Results: 86 AFOs were assessed in total. Final thickness was between 4.0% and 35.5% lower than the prescribed one (median thickness reduction= 17.4%). This discrepancy in thickness led to a relative reduction in AFO stiffness ranging between 7.0% and 80.0% (median stiffness reduction= 30.7%). Discussion: The adequacy of AFO thickness cannot be judged based on prescription thickness. Measurements of final thickness as part of standard practice should be considered to enhance the provision of bespoke AFOs. Further research is needed to establish thresholds of acceptable manufacturing-induced deviation from the prescribed AFO thickness. ; peer-reviewed |
| Τύπος εγγράφου: | article in journal/newspaper |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Relation: | Chatzistergos, P. E., Eddison, N., Theodorakos, I., & Chockalingam, N. (2025). The effect of thickness variation on the rigidity of ankle foot orthoses provided to the NHS: A case for the need for quality control. Medical Engineering & Physics, 144, 104404.; https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/138028 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.medengphy.2025.104404 |
| Διαθεσιμότητα: | https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/138028 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medengphy.2025.104404 |
| Rights: | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess ; The copyright of this work belongs to the author(s)/publisher. The rights of this work are as defined by the appropriate Copyright Legislation or as modified by any successive legislation. Users may access this work and can make use of the information contained in accordance with the Copyright Legislation provided that the author must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the prior permission of the copyright holder. |
| Αριθμός Καταχώρησης: | edsbas.875AF2DF |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | BASE |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.medengphy.2025.104404 |
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