Evaluating Device and Cost Effectiveness of Knee Orthoses and the Impact on Patient and Business Practices
Date of Award
Spring 5-3-2025
Document Type
Non Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics
Department
Kinesiology
First Advisor
Amy Funke
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the cost-effectiveness of orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) interventions when using knee braces to treat knee osteoarthritis (OA). This research compares two off-the-shelf (OTS) single upright unloading knee braces to evaluate cost-effectiveness between higher- and lower-cost devices. Cost-effectiveness is to be measured by the frequency of follow-ups of each assigned OTS knee brace group. Practical outcomes included a lower-cost knee brace requiring more follow-ups that counted against clinician time in the clinic, no significant difference between higher and lower-cost devices, or participants lacking compliance that limited the significance of the data. Further exploration of this study aimed to measure the correlation between valuable clinical time for improving the quality of life (QOL) and the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of knee orthosis choice. The findings of this study could influence O&P device guidelines and structure, patient care quality, and patient and business efficiency. A questionnaire will be provided to participants in the study for one year to collect the necessary data while clinicians gather estimates of participants' time in the clinic. This questionnaire aims to highlight scores regarding pain, functional status, patient satisfaction, and time spent in an O&P clinic. The potential significance of this study lies in the valuable insight into effective and cost-effective O&P intervention through improved practice methods and enhancing the value and applicability of O&P devices.