Biochemical and Functional Evaluation of A Low Cost Energy Storage and Return Orthosis

The objective of phase 1 is to test a new thermoplastic custom reinforced ankle-foot orthosis using kinematic and kinetic gait analysis on a convenience sample of 9 ambulatory (GMFSC levels I through III) children and/or adolescent individuals with cerebral palsy (with hemiplegia). An additional 6 adult participants diagnosed with Charcot Marie Tooth will also be selected for the study. The 15 participants will be recruited by GBC personnel from existing and new patients at Clinical Orthotic Consultants, an orthotic clinic located in Toronto. Participants will be considered for the study if they are deemed by the orthotist to be potentially good candidates for the ESR brace. They will visit the McMaster University’s Human Movement Laboratory (HML), where gait and functional evaluations will be conducted. The HML evaluation will assess gait, balance and mobility. The results of this study will allow its findings to be inserted into the curriculum of the Prosthetic & Orthotic programs at George Brown College and McMaster University. Ultimately, it is the hope of the researchers, clinician, and instructor, that this study will encourage other industry and/or research partnerships to form that will continue to evolve the ESR concept. The aim is to keep it affordable, custom fitted, but improve the energy efficiencies.