[Gait orthosis in patients with complete thoracic paraplegia. Review of 43 patients].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate of the effective use of gait orthosis in patients with spinal cord injuries.


METHODS
A total of 43 patients with complete paraplegia, level T3 to L1, who had a gait orthosis (hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis, reciprocating gait orthosis, hybrid orthosis and functional electrical stimulation) answered a telephone questionnaire.


RESULTS
Orthotic gait use was discontinued in 65% of patients who used the orthosis twice a week for 15 to 60 minutes. Two-thirds of the patients were able to fit the orthosis independently, 60% for standing and 25% for walking. The main reasons for discontinuing use were psychological reasons in 30% of patients, the lack of functional use and the necessity for human help or supervision.


CONCLUSIONS
Presently available devices do not allow functional and independent use of gait orthoses. Their use is limited to physical training, and the only demonstrated physiological benefits are the effects of functional electrical stimulation on cardiovascular status. Prescription for gait orthosis appears justified only if requested by a motivated and well-informed patient or if it appears a useful step in the acceptation of the loss of the gait.
Plassat
R
R
Service de médecine physique et de réadaptation, CHU de Nantes, France. raphaelle.plassat@chu-rennes.fr
Perrouin-Verbe
B
B
Stéphan
A
A
Rome
J
J
Brunel
P
P
Richard
I
I
Mathe
J F
JF
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking