OBJECTIVES: Limited information is currently available regarding outcomes related to orthotics and prosthetics (O&P). Rapidly emerging technologies in the O&P field have increased the need for comparative effectiveness studies examining clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes. The objective of this project was to establish and pilot test a patient registry for outcomes assessment. METHODS: A web-based survey system combining input from both O&P providers and their patients was developed and pilot-tested among nine O&P clinics across the country. The providers entered data on patient demographics, functional status, and mobility, for consenting patients, and then the patients entered information regarding functional abilities, satisfaction, pain, quality of life and cost of care. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients participated in the pilot survey. Respondents were predominantly insured through Medicare (43 %) and 68% were men. With regard to functional abilities, 19% of the consumers required help with at least one activity of daily living. The percent of consumers experiencing an improvement in their ability to perform activities such as exercise, walking, bathing and dressing independently, all after receiving their device ranged from 18% to 51 %. Consumers also reported improved mood (64.9%), high satisfaction with their device (81.1%) and their provider (100%), and improved confidence (73%) after using their device. Several patients reported problems with ability to pay the out-of-pocket costs for their device (12.5%) or to afford device repair costs (9%). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results suggest that collecting outcomes data on this population is feasible, and that patients are benefiting from their O&P devices, through improved functional ability and emotional status. The systematic collection of patient reported outcomes may help to demonstrate the comparative effectiveness and value of O&P devices, and ultimately inform health insurance coverage decisions.