Article

The microprocessor-controlled leg orthosis C-Brace enables patients
with paretic or paralysed lower limb muscles to use dampened knee flexion under
weight-bearing and speed-adapted control of the swing phase. OBJECTIVES: The
objective of the present study was to investigate the new technical functions of
the C-Brace orthosis, based on biomechanical parameters. STUDY DESIGN: The study
enrolled six patients. The C-Brace orthosis is compared with conventional leg
orthoses (four stance control orthoses, two locked knee-ankle-foot orthoses)
using biomechanical parameters of level walking, descending ramps and descending
stairs. METHODS: Ground reaction forces, joint moments and kinematic parameters
were measured for level walking as well as ascending and descending ramps and
stairs. RESULTS: With the C-Brace, a nearly natural stance phase knee flexion was
measured during level walking (mean value 11 degrees +/- 5.6 degrees ). The
maximum swing phase knee flexion angle of the C-Brace approached the normal value
of 65 degrees more closely than the stance control orthoses (66 degrees +/- 8.5
degrees vs 74 degrees +/- 6.4 degrees ). No significant differences in the joint
moments were found between the C-Brace and stance control orthosis conditions. In
contrast to the conventional orthoses, all patients were able to ambulate ramps
and stairs using a step-over-step technique with C-Brace (flexion angle 64.6
degrees +/- 8.2 degrees and 70.5 degrees +/- 12.4 degrees ). CONCLUSION: The
results show that the functions of the C-Brace for situation-dependent knee
flexion under weight bearing have been used by patients with a high level of
confidence. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The functional benefits of the C-Brace in
comparison with the conventional orthotic mechanisms could be demonstrated most
clearly for descending ramps and stairs. The C-Brace orthosis is able to combine
improved orthotic function with sustained orthotic safety.
CI - (c) The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2014.

Langue : ANGLAIS