title: Use of strutter orthoses for an adolescent with myelodysplasia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the functional gains made through the use of the Strutter Functional Orthosis System (SFOS) in an adolescent with myelodysplasia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 12-year-old boy with lumbar level myelodysplasia was not functional when ambulating with Lofstrand crutches. He required a wheelchair for community mobility because of complaints of fatigue and upper extremity discomfort. He was introduced to the SFOS and became a functional community ambulator, reporting greater walking endurance and decreased pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report provides some case evidence to suggest that the SFOS can improve functional mobility in a child with myelodysplasia. With the SFOS this child progressed from being nonfunctional when ambulating to being classified as a "community ambulator," resulting in physiological, functional, and psychosocial gains.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest future investigations to explore the reasons for greater walking ability with the SFOS.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Therapy, American International College, Springfield, MA 01109, USA. jalmagee@comcast.net
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Magee
authors.forename: Diana M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Kenney
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D002648:Child; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D004856:Postural Balance; D016138:Walking / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology