Abstract Summary
Patient adherence with offloading removable cast walkers (RCW) is a challenge and self-reported concern with postural stability has been shown to be predictive of non-adherence. This study investigated whether a short RCW paired with a contralateral shoe lift might improve stability relative to a traditional knee-high RCW. Compensatory responses (stepping thresholds) to perturbations under both offloading conditions were compared. Stepping thresholds in response to perturbations provided by an instrumented treadmill and by a waist-mounted spring scale were higher in the short RCW paired with a contralateral shoe lift. Participants also reported feeling more stable in that condition. If these improvements in stability observed in a laboratory setting, translate to improved stability in patients’ daily lives, it is likely patients will demonstrate greater adherence to a short RCW paired with a contralateral shoe lift. Greater adherence in turn should lead to improved wound healing.
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