Perception of ankle foot orthoses by individuals with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Kirsten M Anderson, Riccardo Zuccarino, Sara M Magdziarz and 2 others
PMID 41084116WHAT IT FOUND
Patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease report that ankle-foot orthoses help them walk, but often cause discomfort, difficulty with donning, and limitations on uneven ground.
They prioritize better fit, easier use, and improved energy return over appearance or durability.
Key findings
01The most common desired changes to orthoses were related to comfort and fit (32% of responses) and ease of use or functionality (28%).
02Walking was the activity most frequently reported as improved by the orthosis, mentioned in 40% of responses.
03Mobility and physical activity were the most common limitations reported, mentioned in 35% of responses, often due to restricted ankle motion.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study relied on self-report without objective physical data or details on specific orthosis designs, so it is unclear which designs caused which limitations. The response rate could not be calculated because the total number of registry participants using orthoses was unknown. Inter-rater agreement varied, with lower agreement for themes like comfort and everyday activities, suggesting some ambiguity in how responses were categorized. Results may be skewed toward individuals with more severe symptoms, as these patients may have more specific complaints about fit and comfort.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health through the Inherited Neuropathies Consortium.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume all patients find their orthoses helpful or that dissatisfaction is rare. While many reported benefits, a significant portion identified critical limitations in comfort and functionality that may impact compliance and require active management during fitting and follow-up.
Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →