A new study out of New Zealand suggests that patients with Charcot-Marie Tooth (CMT) disease may find significant benefits by using 3D-printed customized ankle braces.
Charcot-Marie Tooth disease is a neurological condition that is caused by mutations in a person’s genes that affects the function of their peripheral nerves. Effects are most commonly noticed in the ankles and feet. Patients with CMT may notice that their peripheral nerves progressively lose the ability to transmit nerve signals, which can lead to muscles wasting, foot weakness and structural changes. This can lead to a number of issues for patients, including:
- Ankle instability
- Balance problems
- Gait dysfunction
- Foot drop
To account for these issues and in an attempt to preserve correct structure and function, many patients with CMT turn to orthotic inserts. And while some of the devices are designed with CMT patients in mind, Charcot-Marie Tooth disease is a highly individualized issue, and a generic orthotic insert simply won’t provide the best type of support. To address this care gap, researchers decided to see if 3D printed orthotics could provide ample support and protection for patients battling different stages of CMT degeneration.
For the study, 10 patients with a mean age of 48.2 years old were fitted with fully customized 3D-printed ankle braces. The mean disease duration was 22.8 years, and all but one patient was experiencing foot drop in both of their feet. Eight participants reported sensory loss, and the mean number of falls in the previous month was 12.1. Participants received one or two 3D devices based on whether or not one or both feet were affected.
After four weeks of use, participants underwent walking and balanced tests under two conditions:
- Using their usual athletic style footwear alone: or
- Together with their custom ankle braces.
Study results showed that using the ankle brace was associated with a significant improvement in balance while standing on one foot with eyes open compared to the use of shoes alone (9.3 seconds vs. 7.5 seconds). Moreover, use of the braces was associated with reduced foot pain, and most patients noted that the braces were moderately comfortable and were moderately satisfied with their use.
And while researchers are optimistic about the 3D-printed technology when it comes to CMT disease treatment, they realized that their study was very small in nature, and “larger scale studies are warranted to further explore the impact of the brace on function and balance outcomes along with the long‐term effects of the brace in people with CMT,”
The more customized we can make care to the individual, the better the patient is served, because no two foot issues are ever exactly the same. We’ll keep tabs on this research to see how it progresses in the coming years.
For more information about foot and ankle issues, connect with Dr. Silverman today or check out some of the related articles we’ve posted on our blog.