Functional assessment in orthotic therapy helps measure the impact of orthotic interventions on movement, stability, and quality of life. This book introduces standardized outcome measures, observational tools, and patient-reported assessments. It discusses functional goals across different conditions and settings, from neurological rehabilitation to orthopedic management. Readers learn to track changes in mobility, pain, and participation. The focus is on data-driven clinical decision-making and documenting therapeutic effectiveness.
Luz Mercado is a licensed orthotist and lecturer with significant contributions to the field of functional movement assessment and orthotic therapy. Her work revolves around improving mobility outcomes through individualized functional analysis. She has led community-based rehabilitation projects and published articles on outcome measures and intervention planning. With over 15 years of experience, she brings a unique perspective that merges clinical evaluation and device design. Her academic efforts support training programs focused on evidence-informed orthotic care. Her research interests lie in motion capture analysis, biomechanical alignment, and postural stability.