Predictors of long-term pain and function in individuals who received a custom dynamic orthosis and device-centric care pathway.

Introduction: Carbon fiber custom dynamic orthoses (CDOs) have been shown to effectively reduce pain and improve function in military service members with lower-limb impairment, but data are limited for civilians.

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of individuals who completed a CDO-centric care pathway in a civilian clinic by comparing baseline pain, mobility, and function with outcomes at long-term follow-up. To identify baseline characteristics and postintervention outcomes predictive of outcomes at long-term follow-up.

Methods: Records of 131 adult patients who received a CDO and CDO-centric training were reviewed. Patient-reported measures of pain and physical function and timed assessment of walking and agility collected during routine clinical care were extracted. These patients were contacted on average 4 (±1) years postintervention to complete a survey including measures of pain and physical function.

Results: The 63 participants who responded reported improved or greatly improved function, maximum pain, and typical pain on average, irrespective of age or sex ( P < 0.001). Change in function from baseline to long-term follow-up was predicted by short-term change in function (35.1% of the variance; P < 0.001). Change in pain from baseline to long-term follow-up was predicted by baseline typical pain and change in four square step test time (63% of variance; P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Most survey respondents reported positive outcomes. Long-term pain reduction and improved function were predicted by baseline status and by short-term changes associated with receiving a CDO and completing an intensive training program.