Article

The advanced reciprocating gait orthosis (ARGO) has a rigid structure
which provides restricted movement at the hip, knee, and ankle joints and
incorporates a pelvic section with an extended section in the lumbar region.
Healthy subjects, when walking with an RGO in situ, could feasibly demonstrate
the level of limitation in movement imposed by ARGO-assisted ambulation.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the function of the advanced
reciprocating gait orthosis when fitted with the dorsiflexion-assist ankle-foot
orthoses on temporal-spatial parameters and kinematics of walking in both
able-bodied people and those with spinal cord injury. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi
experimental design. METHODS: Data were acquired from six able-bodied and four
spinal cord injury subjects who used an advanced reciprocating gait orthosis
which incorporated dorsiflexion-assist ankle-foot orthoses. Kinematics and
temporal-spatial parameters were calculated and compared. RESULTS: All
able-bodied individuals walked with speeds which were only approximately
one-third that of when walking without an orthosis. The mean step length and
cadence were both reduced by 48% and 6%, respectively. There were significant
differences in hip, knee, and ankle joint range of motions between normal walking
and walking with the advanced reciprocating gait orthosis both in able-bodied
subjects and patients with spinal cord injury. There were also significant
differences in the speed of walking, cadence, step length, hip range of motion,
and ankle range of motion when using the advanced reciprocating gait orthosis
between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Temporal-spatial parameters and lower limb
sagittal plane kinematics of walking were altered compared to normal walking,
especially when spinal cord injury subjects walked with the advanced
reciprocating gait orthosis compared to the able-bodied subjects. CLINICAL
RELEVANCE: To produce an improvement in RGO function,
an increase in walking
performance should involve attention to improvement of hip, knee, and ankle joint
kinematics, which differs significantly from normal walking.
CI - (c) The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2015.

Langue : ANGLAIS