CFO Therapeutic Outcomes & Follow-Up Flashcards

What is the primary purpose of documenting baseline functional status before initiating orthotic therapy?

Answer: To establish a reference point for measuring treatment effectiveness over time

Baseline documentation enables objective comparison of pre- and post-intervention functional status to determine whether orthotic therapy is producing meaningful outcomes.

A patient with rheumatoid arthritis reports reduced pain after 8 weeks in custom foot orthotics. Which follow-up metric best confirms functional improvement?

Answer: Change in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score and Foot Function Index compared to baseline

Comparing post-treatment VAS pain scores and FFI scores to baseline values provides objective, validated evidence of functional improvement from orthotic intervention.

What is 'accommodation period' in orthotic therapy?

Answer: The initial phase where patients gradually increase wear time to allow tissue adaptation to the orthosis

The accommodation period is when patients systematically increase orthotic wear time so soft tissues and neuromuscular patterns adapt to the corrective forces of the new device.

Which factor most commonly predicts poor long-term compliance with orthotic wear in adult patients?

Answer: Discomfort, poor fit, or inadequate patient education about the device's purpose

Research consistently shows that discomfort, perceived poor fit, and lack of understanding about the device's therapeutic purpose are leading reasons adult patients discontinue orthotic use.

When discharging a patient from active orthotic care, what information should be included in the discharge documentation?

Answer: Final functional status, comparison to baseline outcomes, device care instructions, and criteria for return to care

Thorough discharge documentation includes outcomes data, device maintenance instructions, and clear guidance on symptoms that warrant return to care, supporting continuity and legal protection.

A patient reports their orthotic causes blisters on the lateral heel after 4 weeks of use. What is the most likely biomechanical explanation?

Answer: The orthosis is correcting supination excessively, creating lateral heel shear

Lateral heel blisters after orthotic fitting often indicate excessive supination correction or a lateral heel cup that creates shear forces against the calcaneus during gait.