Custom Dynamic Orthoses to Reduce Articular Contact Stress

Withdrawn before enrolling · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Ankle Fractures, Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis, Osteoarthritis Ankle

In brief

The proposed study evaluates the effect of carbon fiber brace design on forces across the ankle. Research suggests that ankle arthritis develops following ankle fracture due, in part, to elevated forces on the cartilage. It is expected that carbon fiber braces can reduce forces in the ankle joint thereby reducing the risk of developing arthritis following injury. In this study, carbon fiber braces will be tested to determine how they influence the forces acting on the ankle cartilage. The proposed study will provide evidence that can be used by clinicians and researchers to design carbon fiber braces to effectively reduce forces on ankle cartilage.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05209347

Run by

University of Iowa

People needed

0

Starts

2024-12-01

Expected to finish

2025-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-01-15

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Between the ages of 18 and 65
• Sustained unilateral fracture of the tibial pilon
• The fracture has completely healed
• Ability to walk 50 feet without use of an assistive device (cane, crutch, etc.)
• Ability to walk at a slow to moderate pace
• Shoe size between women's 8 and 13.5 or men's 6.5 and 12
• Ability to read and write in English and provide written informed consent
• Individuals with elevated contact stress according to model generated using standing CT images (will be answered after completing visit one)

You may not qualify if…

• Pain > 6/10 while walking
• Increase in pain during testing of 3/10 or greater
• Neurologic, musculoskeletal (including bilateral fractures) or other condition limiting function of the contralateral extremity
• Medical or psychological condition that would preclude functional testing (ex. moderate or severe brain injury, stroke, heart disease)
• Wounds to the calf that would prevent CDO fitting
• Fractures secondary to neuropathy or severe osteopenia
• Classification as non-ambulatory
• Previous fractures near the tibial pilon on the involved limb
• Surgery on involved limb anticipated in the next 6 months
• Requirement of a knee stabilizing device (i.e. KAFO, KO…) to perform daily activities
• Visual or hearing impairments that limit walking ability or limit the ability to comply with instructions given during testing
• BMI greater than 40
• Pregnancy- Per participant self-report. Due to the expected small number of pregnant individuals and resulting inability to account for its effect on resulting outcomes, participants will be withdrawn from the study.

Where it is running

• University of Iowa — Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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