A Journal Reaction Paper on “Challenges in Lower-Limb Orthotic Research”
A device affixed or applied to the exterior surface of the body to improve function,
restrict or enforce motion, or support a body segment is referred to as an orthosis. Lower
limb orthotics are specialized embedded systems which are used to rectify an incorrect
alignment in specific parts of the lower limb. Braces, insoles, splints, and other devices
are examples. Every lower limb orthotic is custom-made to match the demands of the
wearer, and a podiatrist's full assessment and motion analysis are required.
In the journal entitled “Challenges in Lower-Limb Orthotic Research”, I, as a
reader, was no longer surprised upon knowing that even the most useful thing can still
have its imperfection and challenge along the run.
The lower-limb device has received complains that it is somehow not effective in
correcting alignments of specific parts in the body. However, the articles in this special
issue have relatively low levels of evidence supporting lower limb orthoses, based on
study designs. The study by Bowers and Ross is maybe the exception in this problem, as
it is based on a systematic review and so may be deemed Level I evidence. While
conducting randomized clinical trials (which are considered to provide the highest degree
of evidence due to the research design's capacity to restrict the influence of potential
biases) is not always practicable or practical, and it is not always necessary.
Furthermore, as stated in the article, heterogeneity within the population of orthosis
users and within orthosis designs themselves is also a challenge to orthotic research.
When designing a study, researchers must determine to what extent they will standardize
the orthotic intervention being studied. This could lead to tighter inclusion criteria and
difficulties with subject recruitment. Thus, it has been supported that even the designers
and creators itself have admitted that the device may probably has its own challenges.
Therefore, I agree that there is no such perfect study. Just as every research is, it
undergoes trial and error, and as time goes by, improvements and developments were
employed in order to have a better version of it; which then were made to help the people
in every society.