IC16: Multidisciplinary Approach to Optimizing Bracing and Gait in Adults with Neurological Disorders

This course will introduce a patient-centered multidisciplinary approach to improving gait in adult patients with neurological disorders who require both orthotic intervention and spasticity treatment. The presentation will be given by a physician with extensive experience treating patients with muscle spasticity and gait dysfunction and a certified orthotist/prosthetist adept at casting, fitting, and tuning AFOs. After the oral presentations giving background on muscle spasticity, gait, and the AFO tuning process, attendees will perform hands-on spasticity assessments on a patient volunteer, develop a spasticity treatment plan, and discuss viable bracing options.  They will have the opportunity to use 2D video gait analysis and make various real-time modifications to AFOs as they learn the process of AFO tuning to optimize knee and ankle positioning during stance phase. Lastly, attendees will observe a custom AFO casting demonstration. We aim to equip and hope to inspire the audience of clinicians, including physical therapists, physicians, and orthotists, to initiate similar multidisciplinary collaborations.