Evaluating Custom Dynamic Orthoses for Foot Injuries

This study is looking at how two types of custom dynamic orthoses (CDOs) – the Modular Carbon Fiber Custom Dynamic Orthosis and the Mono Carbon Fiber Custom Dynamic Orthosis – help people who have had a traumatic foot or lower leg injury. You might be able to join if you are between 18 and 65, and it's been at least two years since your injury, but you still have issues like ankle weakness or pain. The study wants to see how different ways of setting up these devices affect your physical function, pain, and how satisfied you are with the device. The study aims to enroll 35 participants, but its current status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study where participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a modular or monolithic CDO. Outcomes will be compared using various tests.
What's involved
Participants will be evaluated without a CDO and then with the CDO in three different configurations.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your physical function, pain, and satisfaction with the device will be measured at baseline (when you start the study).

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06352788

From Opinion to Evidence: Multi-site Evaluation of Custom Dynamic Orthosis Best Practices

Recruiting
NAAges 18–65InterventionalTreatment
Jason Wilken
~35 participants
Updated 2026-01-15 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Modular Carbon Fiber Custom Dynamic Orthosis (CDO)Mono Carbon Fiber Custom Dynamic Orthosis (CDO)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
5 of 5 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
PROMIS Physical Function
Measured over Baseline
+15 more outcomes measured
Foot Injury

NCT06352788

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 5 sites. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Mayo Clinic - Motion Analysis Lab

    Rochester, Minnesotastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Minneapolis VA Health Care System - Motion Analysis Laboratory

    Minneapolis, Minnesotastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Naval Medical Center San Diego - Clinical Biomechanics Laboratory

    San Diego, Californiastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • University of Iowa

    Iowa City, Iowastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Vanderbilt University - Zelik Lab For Biomechanics & Assistive Technology

    Nashville, Tennesseestudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

  • Jason M Wilken, PT, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Iowa

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Between the ages of 18 and 65
2 or more years from a traumatic injury below the knee
Ability to be fit with an orthosis
Any of the following:
Weakness of ankle plantarflexors (\<4/5 on manual muscle test)
Limited pain-free ankle motion (dorsiflexion (DF) \<10° or plantarflexion (PF) \<20°)
Mechanical pain with loading to hindfoot/midfoot (\>=4/10 Numerical pain rating scale)
Fusion or candidate for fusion of the ankle or hindfoot
Candidate for amputation secondary to ankle/foot injury and impairment

Exclusion

Pain greater than 8/10 at rest
Ankle weakness or spasticity as a result of spinal cord injury or central nervous system pathology
Use of an orthosis including the knee
Non-ambulatory
Surgery on study limb anticipated in next 4 months
Medical or psychological conditions that would influence functional testing (e.g., severe traumatic brain injury, stroke, heart disease, vestibular disorder)
Neurologic, musculoskeletal, or other conditions limiting function of the contralateral extremity
Uncorrected visual or hearing impairments
Pregnancy
Non-English speaking
BMI \> 40
  • PROMIS Physical FunctionBaseline

    The Patient Reported Outcome Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) is a computerized assessment measuring physical function. It is scored using a T-score in which 50 is the mean of a relevant reference population and 10 is the standard deviation (SD) of that population. In a given PROMIS domain, a T-score above 50 represents greater physical function than the population average. Larger scores are better.

  • PROMIS Pain InterferenceBaseline

    The Patient Reported Outcome Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) is a computerized assessment measuring pain interference. It is scored using a T-score in which 50 is the mean of a relevant reference population and 10 is the standard deviation (SD) of that population. In a given PROMIS domain, a T-score above 50 represents greater pain interference than the population average. Lower scores are better.

  • OPUS Satisfaction with Device and ServicesBaseline

    Satisfaction with device and services will be assessed using the Orthotics Prosthetics Users' Survey Satisfaction With Device and Services Score (11-55). Lower scores indicate a better outcome and more satisfaction with the CDO and accompanying services.

  • Modified Socket Comfort Score - ComfortBaseline

    Participants were asked to rate the comfort of each CDO configuration on a scale from 0-10 with 0 = most uncomfortable to 10 = most comfortable. Higher scores indicate more comfortable conditions, and are considered better.

  • Modified Socket Comfort Score - SmoothnessBaseline

    Participants were asked to rate the smoothness of each CDO configuration on a scale from 0-10 with 0 = most smooth to 10 = least smooth. Lower scores indicate smoother conditions, and are considered better.

  • Numerical Pain Rating ScaleBaseline

    Pain will be assessed using a standard 11-point numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), in which 0 = no pain and 10 = worst pain imaginable. Lower scores are considered better.

  • Preference - RankedBaseline

    The participant will be asked to rank order the conditions they have completed testing for at each visit: at the 3rd visit they will rank order their preference for using no orthosis or using the CDO in the first configuration, at the 4th visit they will rank order their preference for using no orthosis, using the CDO in the first configuration, and using the CDO in the second configuration, at the 5th visit they will rank order their preference for using no orthosis, using the CDO in the first configuration, using the CDO in the second configuration, and using the CDO in the third configuration.

  • Preference - CDO ConfigurationBaseline

    For each CDO configuration, participants will be asked to rank their preference on a scale from 0 (least preferred) to 10 (most preferred) for a number of questions concerning CDO use. Higher scores indicate higher preferences and are considered better.

  • Four Square Step Test (seconds)Baseline

    The 4SST (seconds) is a standardized timed test of balance and agility. Participants start in the lower left quadrant of a Maltese cross setting on the floor and are timed as they move counterclockwise (forward, right, backward, left) and then clockwise (right, forward, left, backward) around the cross. Participants are instructed to move as quickly as they safely can. Lower times indicate faster completion of the test and are considered better results.

  • Sit to Stand 5 Times (seconds)Baseline

    STS5 (seconds) is a well-established timed measure of lower limb muscle strength and power. Participants are instructed to stand up and sit down 5 times as fast as possible. Lower scores indicate a faster time to complete the test and are considered better results.

  • Center of Pressure Velocity Magnitude (m/s)Baseline

    The center of pressure (CoP) is the centroid of the forces acting on the foot during gait. The magnitude of the peak center of pressure velocity (m/s) is the fastest the CoP moves during gait.

  • Center of Pressure Velocity Timing (%stance)Baseline

    The center of pressure (CoP) is the centroid of the forces acting on the foot during gait. The timing of the peak center of pressure velocity, is the percent of the stance phase (%stance) where the CoP is moving fastest during gait.

  • Ankle Zero Moment Crossing (%stance)Baseline

    The ankle zero moment crossing is the point during the stance phase of gait (%stance) where the ankle moment transitions from a dorsiflexion to a plantarflexion moment.

  • Peak Ankle Dorsiflexion (degree)Baseline

    Participants completed a biomechanical gait analysis session. Sagittal plane peak ankle joint dorsiflexion angle (degree) that occurs late in the stance phase of gait.

  • Peak Ankle Plantarflexion Moment (Nm/kg)Baseline

    Participants completed a biomechanical gait analysis session. Sagittal plane peak ankle joint plantarflexion moment normalized to participant body weight (Nm/kg) that occurs late in the stance phase of gait.

  • Peak Ankle Push-Off Power (W/kg)Baseline

    Participants completed a biomechanical gait analysis session. Sagittal plane peak ankle joint power normalized to body weight (W/kg) occurs late in the stance phase of gait.