Article

Stance Control knee-ankle foot orthoses (SCO) differ from their traditional
locked knee counterparts by allowing free knee flexion during swing while
providing stability during stance. It is widely accepted that free knee flexion
during swing normalizes gait and therefore improves walking speed and reduces the
energy requirements of walking. Limited research has been carried out to evaluate
the benefits of SCOs when compared to locked knee-ankle foot orthoses (KAFOs).
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of SCOs used for
patients with lower limb pathology. Energy expenditure and walking velocity were
measured in 10 subjects using an orthosis incorporating a Horton Stance Control
knee joint. A GAITRite walkway was used to measure temporospatial gait
characteristics. A Cosmed K4b2 portable metabolic system was used to measure
energy expenditure and heart rate during walking. Two conditions were tested:
Walking with stance control active (stance control) and walking with the knee
joint locked. Ten subjects completed the GAITRite testing; nine subjects
completed the Cosmed testing. Walking velocity was significantly increased in the
stance control condition (p < 0.001). There was no difference in the energy cost
of walking (p = 0.515) or physiological cost index (PCI) (p = 0.093) between
conditions. This study supports previous evidence that stance control knee-ankle
foot orthoses increase walking velocity compared to locked knee devices. Contrary
to expectation, the stance control condition did not decrease energy expenditure
during walking.

Langue : ANGLAIS