A review of the fundamental design problems of providing ambulation for paraplegic patients

Walking for paraplegics with complete mid-thoracic lesions is now becoming a clinically viable reality. However, much of the literature in this field overstates the achievements and masks the difficulties that patients may encounter. This paper highlights Independence, Energy Cost, Cosmesis, Reliabi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Paraplegia 1989-02, Vol.27 (1), p.70-75
Main Authors: STALLARD, J, MAJOR, R. E, PATRICK, J. H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Cerebrospinal fluid. Meninges. Spinal cord
Costs and Cost Analysis
Electric Stimulation Therapy
Energy Metabolism
Equipment Design
Humans
Locomotion
Medical sciences
Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes)
Neurology
Orthopedic Equipment
Paraplegia - rehabilitation
Walkers
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Summary:Walking for paraplegics with complete mid-thoracic lesions is now becoming a clinically viable reality. However, much of the literature in this field overstates the achievements and masks the difficulties that patients may encounter. This paper highlights Independence, Energy Cost, Cosmesis, Reliability and Cost as the five areas of prime interest involved in the design compromise for any walking system and urges that all relevant information for any system should be readily available to prescribers. Currently available walking systems are briefly considered.
ISSN:0031-1758
1362-4393
1476-5624
DOI:10.1038/sc.1989.11