Promotion of ambulation of patients with spinal muscular atrophy by early fitting of knee-ankle-foot orthoses.
Seven children with spinal muscular atrophy aged between 20 months and four years, none of whom had ever walked, were fitted with knee-ankle-foot orthoses. All the children could sit unsupported and therefore were at point 9 on the Vignos functional scale. Two children achieved autonomous walking, three assisted walking and the remaining two could stand without aid. During the follow-up period there was no progression of weakness and neither scoliosis nor contractures developed.
D001915:Braces; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008124:Locomotion; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000534:rehabilitation*