Services we provide
The Regional Orthotic Service provides a specialist service to patients whose orthotic needs are so physically or technically complex, that a comprehensive, and frequently multidisciplinary, assessment is required. The initial provision of an orthoses may be from the centre with ongoing follow up and provision from the patient's local service.
Who is the service for?
This service is principally provided for adults who have a long-term neurological condition (for example stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis) or complex foot problems related to diabetes (for example ulceration from an underlying biomechanical cause).
A common symptom of the neurological disabilities is hypertonia (increased muscle tone), which has previously been difficult to manage successfully. The multidisciplinary assessment is routinely carried out by an Orthotist and Physiotherapist, and regularly supplemented by Occupational Therapists and Consultants in Rehabilitation Medicine.
Referral process
Referrals of patients whose orthotic needs are physically or technically complex can be sent to the department by any Health Care Professional. These are reviewed on a weekly basis and either accepted or returned to the referrer for clarification or for redirection to a more appropriate service.
What happens at an assessment?
A comprehensive examination and assessment takes place, the details of which vary depending on the needs of the individual patient. Depending on the difficulties that the patient has the assessment focuses on different parts of the body and/or different functional tasks. A plan for the rehabilitation is made and agreed with the patient and or carers. This may include referrals to other rehabilitation services to maximise the benefits to the patient.
The multidisciplinary team may consist of:
Assessment appointments regularly take 40 minutes, although initial appointments lasting significantly longer are not uncommon. When people have difficulty walking we ask them to bring shorts to the appointment as this helps facilitate the assessment process. Also patients are asked to bring any walking aid or current orthoses.
What happens after the assessment?
The patient is cast and/or measured for an appropriate orthoses to meet their needs. This will have been agreed with each patient on an individual basis. A review appointment will be made to assess the effect the orthosis has had on the patients function.
If required the patient may attend specific follow up appointments to educate them in the use of an orthosis.
