Abstract
In this study, an ideal electromechanical KAFO, satisfying stability in the stance and knee flexion in the swing phase during walking, was developed. Biomechanical evaluations were performed on four polio patients by means of three-dimensional gait analyses and energy consumption studies. From the three-dimensional gait analysis on poliomyelitis patients, a considerable amount of knee flexion during the swing phase was observed in controlled-knee gait, which resulted in approximately 33% less energy consumption than in locked-knee gait. The developed electromechanical KAFO in this study was helpful in poliomyelitis patients having partial or complete paralysis of the lower extremity, providing both stability in the stance and free swinging of the knee. This unit was efficient in the transfer of energy.
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Acknowledgements
This study was supported by a grant of the Korea Health 21 R&D Project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (02-PJ3-PG6-EV03-0004) and was also supported by the Regional Innovation Center Program, conducted by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy of the Korean Government.
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Hwang, S., Kang, S., Cho, K. et al. Biomechanical effect of electromechanical knee–ankle–foot-orthosis on knee joint control in patients with poliomyelitis. Med Biol Eng Comput 46, 541–549 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-008-0310-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-008-0310-6