such as IDEO and RTR may provide assurance with a deci-
sion to serve as opposed to a scenario where functional
prognoses following HELET are only poor. Although the
clinical endpoint of RTD is not applicable within the
Veteran and civilian communities, return to high levels of
function and recreation are.
1,13,15
–17,23
Accidents resulting in
lower limb trauma are prevalent outside of the military com-
munity accounting for nearly 250,000 hospitalizations per
year in the private sector.
32
Therefore, adoption of IDEO
and RTR interventions may likely have high clinical trans-
lation into the Veteran and private sectors. Under ideal cir-
cumstances, moderate evidence supports a return to high
levels of function and recreation and decreased pain in accor-
dance with these interventions.
1,13,14,16,17
Another salient
finding is that IDEO outperformed the
Blue Rocker and Posterior Leaf Spring designs in functional
tasks requiring multidirectional stepping, walking, and run-
ning on
flat and uneven ground and stair climbing. Perfor-
mance was also greater with IDEO than with a no brace
condition. Con
fidence in this statement is also supported by
moderate-level evidence. It is helpful to have comparative
outcomes assessments to assist with clinical prescription of a
device to maximize function with consideration for a certain
patient demographic. Unfortunately, this body of literature
only had a single comparative ef
ficacy study.
26
With regard to perceptive measures, moderate-level evi-
dence also supports that IDEO strut stiffness was more of a
factor with regard to patient preference than for gait qual-
ity.
24,25,27,28
Finally, pain is a concomitant issue following
limb trauma. Use of IDEO was associated with decreased
levels of pain.
14
Moderate-level evidence supports both of
these effects associated with use of the IDEO. Included liter-
ature did not contain reports of safety incidents (i.e., break-
age) or adverse events in association with use of the IDEO
or RTR therapy and the only contraindication reported
related to IDEO use was a knee range of motion of less than
90°.
13
The speci
fic design elements of the IDEO that led to
the reported outcomes were not clearly delineated. There-
fore, it is unclear if design and construction differences will
yield the same results. For instance, two speci
fic IDEO
designs are described: a modular rehabilitation device and a
de
finitive device.
13
However, performance differences between
these are not reported.
LIMITATIONS
This body of literature only included two studies with high
methodologic quality and one comparative ef
ficacy study
of multiple interventions. Additionally, the subjects studied
were homogeneous. Therefore, generalizability beyond young,
traumatically injured males is questionable. Methodologic qual-
ity could also be improved with standardized reporting.
30,31
Examples include more thorough sample descriptions and
effect sizes. Additionally, incorporating blinding (i.e. raters,
statisticians) would also improve internal validity.
CONCLUSIONS
The IDEO was introduced to increase function and return
to duty rates following lower extremity trauma and limb
salvage. A return to run clinical rehabilitation pathway
routinely accompanied the device. Twelve studies provide
moderate evidence to support four empirical evidence state-
ments. Brie
fly, following lower extremity trauma and limb
salvage, use of IDEO with RTR therapy can enable return to
duty, return to recreation and physical activity and decrease
pain in some high functioning patients. Further, in higher
functioning patients, the IDEO improved agility, power and
speed, compared with no-brace or conventional non-custom
bracing alternatives.
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Outcomes Associated With the Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis