THE EFFICACY OF PEDIATRIC ORTHOSES AS AN ADJUNCT TO THE TREATMENT OF PLANTAR ULCERATION IN LEPROSY

This study examines the outcome of a mangement approach to plantar ulc eration secondary to leprotic neuropathy. Locally-available resources were used to produce pediatric orthoses which were supplied to an expe rimental group. The effects on healing time and quality of healing wer e compared with a control group. Both groups were ambulant (the progra mme sought not to interfere with socioeconomic independence). Using st andard nonparametric methods of analysis, it was demonstrated that the effects on healing rate, attributed to the experimental intervention, were highly significant. Over a 7-month period, 57% of the experiment al group ulcers healed, while only 12.5% of the control group ulcers h ealed. The experimental intervention also demonstrated a positive effe ct on the quality of ulcer healing. This effect was not reflected in t he control group.