Outcome and follow up
Patient measurements were reassessed at 8 and 16 weeks, post-intervention (Tables I and II) . Both subjective and objective outcome measurements showed positive improvements with the iHot-33 score increasing by 31 points. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is 6 points [28]. The patient felt in less pain and reported the DMO® made her feel more co-ordinated and stable. This resulted in her being able to engage in her physiotherapy exercises to prepare for hip surgery. Increases in muscle strength were demonstrated by HHD tests with her hip abductors, hip adductors, hip internal and hip external rotators. Reduction in her symptoms of light-headedness, dizziness and palpitations were notable and promising in respect of improvements to her safety and prevention of falls. Figure Iare photographs showing the patient without the orthoses and their sway back posture and a comparative photograph to show her posture changes whilst wearing the orthoses. Her posture in standing whilst wearing the orthotics, was significantly more vertically aligned. These improvements also carried over into her walking posture; and most importantly, resulted in decreased pain and heightened body awareness.