scholarly journals The influence of the reciprocal hip joint link in the Advanced Reciprocating Gait Orthosis on standing performance in paraplegia

1997 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Baardman ◽  
M. J. Ijzerman ◽  
H. J. Hermen ◽  
P. H. Veltink ◽  
H. B. K. Boom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Hip Joint ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Comparative Trial ◽  
Quiet Standing ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthosis ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Male Subjects ◽  
Foot Orthosis

The effect of reciprocally linking the hip hinges of a hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis on standing performance was studied in a comparative trial of the Advanced Reciprocating Gait Orthosis (ARGO) and an ARGO in which the Bowden cable was removed (A_GO). Six male subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) at T4 to T12 level participated in the study, which was conducted using a single case experimental design. Standing balance, the ability to handle balance disturbances (standing stability), and the performance of a functional hand task during standing were assessed in both orthosis configurations in the order A_GO-ARGO-A_GO-ARGO. No significant differences with respect to standing performance were found for the two orthosis configurations. However, the results indicate that the crutch force needed for maintaining balance during various tasks, especially for quiet standing with two crutches, may be much higher in the orthosis without Bowden cable. Therefore, it is very likely that the reciprocal hip joint link in the ARGO provides a substantial and clinically relevant reduction of upper body effort required for standing under functional conditions.

scholarly journals Manufacturing and analysis of carbon fiber knee ankle foot orthosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 2236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayad M. Takhakh ◽  
Saif M. Abbas
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Carbon Fiber ◽  
Tensile Tests ◽  
Foot Orthoses ◽  
Well Control ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthosis ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthoses ◽  
Foot Orthosis

Knee ankle foot orthoses (KAFOs) are used by paraplegia patients with low level spinal cord injury and having well control of the stem muscles. Four layers of carbon fiber with C- orthocryl lamination resin are used for manufacturing the knee ankle foot orthoses in this work. The mechanical properties of most of the components materials were estimated with the aid of fatigue and tensile test machines. Results of the tensile tests showed that the mechanical properties: yield stress, ultimate strength and modulus of elasticity were 92MPa, 105.7MPa and 2GPa respectively. The value of amidst pressure between the patient limb and the manufactured KAFO was measured using (F-socket) Mat scan sensor and these values of pressure were (663kPa) and (316kPa) for the thigh and calf regions respectively. 

scholarly journals Evaluation of a novel powered hip orthosis for walking by a spinal cord injury patient: a single case study

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mokhtar Arazpour ◽  
Ahmad Chitsazan ◽  
Stephen W Hutchins ◽  
Farhad Tabatabai Ghomshe ◽  
Mohammad Ebrahim Mousavi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Hip Joint ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury Patient ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Spatial Parameters

Background: The aim of this case study was to identify the effect of a powered hip orthosis on the kinematics and temporal-spatial parameters of walking by a patient with spinal cord injury (SCI).Case Description and Methods: Two orthoses were evaluated while worn by an incomplete SCI subject with a T-8level of injury. Gait evaluation was performed when walking with an Isocentric Reciprocating Gait Orthosis (IRGO) and compared to that demonstrated by a newly powered version of the orthosis; based on the IRGO superstructure but incorporating powered hip joints using an electrically motorized actuator that produced active hip joint extension and flexion.Findings and Outcomes: The powered hip orthosis, when compared to the IRGO, increased the speed of walking, the step length and also the cadence demonstrated by this subject. Vertical and horizontal compensatory motions with new orthosis decreased. Hip angles when walking with this orthosis were comparative to those demonstrated by normal walking patterns.Conclusions: The hip actuator produced positive effects on the kinematics and temporal-spatial parameters of gait during level-ground walking trials, resulting in an alternative approach to walking by SCI patients.Clinical relevanceThis orthosis has the potential to improve hip joint kinematics, the temporal-spatial parameters of gait in SCI patients walking.

scholarly journals EFFECT OF KINETIC RETURN ANKLE FOOT ORTHOSIS IN PATIENT WITH INCOMPLETE SPINAL CORD INJURY: CHANGES OF THE GAIT PATTERN. A CASE REPORT

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (101) ◽  
pp. 8-16
Author(s):  
Margot Bergmann ◽  
Mari Alvela ◽  
Priit Eelmäe ◽  
Doris Vahtrik ◽  
Helena Gapeyeva
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Ankle Joint ◽  
Gait Pattern ◽  
Swing Phase ◽  
Initial Contact ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthosis ◽  
Foot Progression Angle ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Foot Orthosis

Background. The variety of orthotics available induces a purpose for estimation of their influence of functional mobility for individual needs in people with incomplete spinal cord injuries (ISCI). The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the use of kinetic return ankle foot orthosis (KRAFO) on gait pattern in case of ISCI. Methods. Ankle and knee joint kinematic and kinetic characteristics during gait with and without KRAFO were studied in a 34-year-old man with ISCI (fracture v.C5) using 3D motion analysis system (Vicon Motion Systems Ltd., UK) including two dynamographic platforms (AMTI, USA). Ankle and knee joint angles at initial contact and mid-stance, ankle dorsiflexion and foot progression angle in swing phase and ankle joint push-off values in stance phase were analysed. Results. An excessive dorsiflexion in right ankle joint at initial contact, in mid-stance and in swing-phase occurred when walking without the orthosis, which decreased (105, 57 and 73%, respectively, p < .01) with the use of KRAFO. Orthoses use evoked the decrease (77%, p < .01) in peak foot progression angle. Ankle joint peak push- off power was low without the use of KRAFO and decreased even more (28%, p < .05) with the use of orthosis. Decreases of knee joint flexion angle at initial contact and in mid-stance (29 and 23%, respectively) with the use of KRAFO were not significant as compared to gait without orthosis. Conclusions. Walking with KRAFO improved ankle and knee joint stability, providing a decrease in ankle kinematic characteristics but ankle joint push-off power did not change. Further studies are needed to compare the effect of KRAFO in comparison with other orthoses on gait pattern in case of ISCI in accordance with the patient- centric approach for rehabilitation process management.

The Araz medial linkage orthosis—a new orthosis for walking in patients with spinal cord injury: A single patient study

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mokhtar Arazpour ◽  
Monireh A Bani ◽  
Stephen W Hutchins ◽  
Meysam Sayyadfar
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Gait Velocity ◽  
Walking Gait ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthosis ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury Subject ◽  
Solid Works ◽  
Foot Orthosis

Background:This article describes the development and evaluation of a new medial linkage orthosis to potentially assist paraplegic patients to ambulate.Case description and methods:The orthosis was initially designed using the solid works program and was subsequently evaluated when used by a spinal cord injury subject to test the structure during standing and walking. Gait analysis was used to compare the medial linkage orthosis to a standard hip–knee–ankle–foot orthosis.Findings and outcomes:The results demonstrated improvements in gait velocity, step length, and decreased compensatory motions in the new orthosis compared to the hip–knee–ankle–foot orthosis.Conclusions:The results propose that this new Araz medial linkage orthosis could be used to assist paraplegic subjects who have adequate ranges of motion and also with weakness or reduced tone to stand and walk.Clinical relevanceThe Araz medial linkage orthosis can potentially provide standing and walking assistance for spinal cord injury patients.

scholarly journals Energy Efficiency and Patient Satisfaction of Gait With Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis and Robot (ReWalk)-Assisted Gait in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung Hyun Kwon ◽  
Bum Suk Lee ◽  
Hye Jin Lee ◽  
Eun Joo Kim ◽  
Jung Ah Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Walking Distance ◽  
Maximal Heart Rate ◽  
Walking Test ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthosis ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Foot Orthosis

Objective To compare the energy efficiency of gait with knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) and robot-assisted gait and to develop a usability questionnaire to evaluate the satisfaction of walking devices in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injuries.Methods Thirteen patients with complete paraplegia participated and 10 completed the evaluation. They were trained to walk with KAFO (KAFO-gait) or a ReWalk robot (ReWalk-gait) for 4 weeks (20 sessions). After a 2-week wash-out period, they switched walking devices and underwent 4 additional weeks of training. Two evaluations were performed (after 2 and 4 weeks) following the training periods for each walking device, using the 6-minute walking test (6MWT) and 30-minute walking test (30MWT). The spatiotemporal variables (walking distance, velocity, and cadence) and energy expenditure (heart rate, maximal heart rate, the physiologic cost index, oxygen consumption, metabolic equivalents, and energy efficiency) were evaluated duringthe 6MWT and 30MWT. A usability evaluation questionnaire for walking devices was developed based on the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission guidelines through expert consultation.Results The ReWalk-gait presented significant advantages in energy efficiency compared to KAFO-gait in the 6MWT and 30MWT; however, there were no differences in walking distance or speed in the 30MWT between ReWalk-gait and KAFOgait. The usability test demonstrated that ReWalk-gait was not superior to KAFO-gait in terms of safety, efficacy, efficiency, or patient satisfaction.Conclusion The robot (ReWalk) enabled patients with paraplegia to walk with lower energy consumption compared to KAFO, but the ReWalk-gait was not superior to KAFO-gaitin terms of patient satisfaction.

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