Immediate effects of a controllable knee ankle foot orthosis for functional compensation of gait in patients with proximal leg weakness

Med Biol Eng Comput. 2008 Jan;46(1):43-53. doi: 10.1007/s11517-007-0267-x. Epub 2007 Oct 10.

Abstract

Application of intermittent control of the knee joint stiffness in a knee ankle foot orthosis (KAFO) during gait is proposed. The approach combines inertial sensors and an actuator system in order to apply compensation in quadriceps weakness with a wearable device. Two methods, segment-angular rotation based and segment-angular velocity based, are analysed for the control of the knee joint state (intermittent stiffness) based on the inertial sensors signals. Protocolled tests are developed with two post-polio syndrome patients (PPS). In this study, the cases of gait with free-swinging leg and safe stance with the orthotic system are presented in terms of quantified kinematics (average peak angle of knee flexion of 50 degrees ) and evidences of reduction of frequent compensations (e.g. leg lateral movement) in post-polio syndrome patients. The results from immediate inspection indicate an important improvement of the gait patterns in two patients with proximal leg weakness by means of compensations applied by the wearable orthosis.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ankle Joint / physiopathology
  • Equipment Design
  • Female
  • Gait
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic / physiopathology
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic / rehabilitation*
  • Humans
  • Knee Joint / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Orthotic Devices*
  • Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / rehabilitation*
  • Range of Motion, Articular