Feasibility study investigating the effect of a novel splint device on gait characteristics of a paediatric population with footdrop

An innovative splint is being developed to assist children with footdrop to walk safely and with more energy efficiency. Footdrop is muscle weakness/paralysis resulting in difficulty lifting the front part of the foot, which causes frequent falls. The benefit of using the OrthoPed splint is that ankle muscles will be used to lift the foot when walking, with the OrthoPed splint providing the extra support that the child is lacking. Currently there isn't an active-assisted splint to support small children with moderate footdrop, the OrthoPed splint fills this need.

The OrthoPed splint has been tested in a laboratory and is now ready for a feasibility study focussing on recruitment of children with footdrop, useability and compliance with study procedures (walking patterns and gait analysis). This project is in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust. We will be able to use the data collected to demonstrate that the OrthoPed splint improves the walking pattern of children with footdrop. This should help us to gain further funding in the future for the clinical trials needed before the OrthoPed splint can be sold.