A MULTIDISCIPLINARY EVALUATION OF GAIT IN ORTHOSIS USERS

A multidisciplinary evaluation of gait in orthosis users is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of effective rehabilitation, yet its practical implementation remains inconsistent across clinical settings.While advances in orthotic design, motion capture systems, wearable sensors, and digital assessment tools have substantially improved the ability to quantify gait parameters, optimal interpretation and application of these data require coordinated input from multiple disciplines.Insufficient collaboration among clinicians-such as physicians, posthetist-orthotists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and medical psychologists-often leads to fragmented assessments, suboptimal orthotic tuning, prolonged adaptation periods, and limited functional gains for patients.This article highlights the value of an integrated, patient-centered model for gait evaluation in individuals using orthoses.It outlines the complementary roles of different specialists in analyzing biomechanical alignment, neuromuscular control, functional performance, and psychosocial adaptation during gait.Emphasis is placed on shared clinical decision-making, standardized communication pathways, and the alignment of assessment outcomes with individualized rehabilitation goals.The paper also identifies key challenges to multidisciplinary gait assessment, including organizational silos, limited access to advanced technologies, variability in professional training, and constraints related to data integration and ethical management.To overcome these barriers, the article proposes practical solutions such as the adoption of unified digital gait assessment platforms, interdisciplinary case conferences, and targeted cross-training initiatives to enhance mutual understanding among professionals.Additionally, the potential of emerging technologies-including AI-assisted gait analysis, instrumented orthoses, and remote monitoring systems-is explored as a means to support real-time collaboration and evidence-based adjustments to orthotic interventions.Drawing on contemporary research and international clinical practices, the article argues that structured multidisciplinary frameworks are essential for achieving accurate gait evaluation, improving orthosis effectiveness, and ultimately enhancing mobility, participation, and quality of life for orthosis users.