title: Gait evaluation of an automatic stance-control knee orthosis in a patient with postpoliomyelitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine gait differences in a subject ambulating with a knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) with a locked knee joint versus an automatic stance-control knee joint.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-subject crossover design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary rehabilitation facility with a motion analysis laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 61-year-old ambulatory male volunteer with postpoliomyelitis walking with a stance-control KAFO.
  
  
  METHODS
  Instrumented gait analysis and Physiological Cost Index in the locked knee and stance-control modes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Differences in gait parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On the braced limb, stance-control mode showed a near-normal knee flexion wave in swing, reduced pelvic retraction and rotational excursion, and improved hip power generation. On the nonbraced limb, the stance-control mode allowed elimination of vaulting, reduction in abnormal ankle and hip power generation, increased knee power absorption, and more typical quadriceps activation. There was a trend toward improved energy efficiency in the stance-control mode.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of a stance-control knee joint in a KAFO appears to improve gait biomechanics and improve energy efficiency compared with a locked knee.
authors.affiliation: University of Alberta, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada. jherbert@cha.ab.ca
authors.forename: Jackie S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hebert
authors.forename: Adrian B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Liggins
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D016262:Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*