Gait adaptation habits die hard

[Guest guest]

Biomechanics Magazine http://biomech.com July 2006

Gait adaptation habits die hard

By: R.

http://biomech.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=191601279

Walking independently is a challenge for patients with weak

quadriceps muscles. Often these patients are prescribed a knee ankle

foot orthosis to help them walk. A new stance control orthosis called

the Dynamic Knee Brace System (not available commercially) may offer

these patients another option.

To study how patients' gait changes when adapting to the knee brace,

practitioners at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, fitted 21 patients

unilaterally with the DKBS. Thirteen usually wore a KAFO; eight were

termed " novice users. " Those with less experience using a KAFO

adapted more quickly to the knee brace, with an increased velocity

and cadence, than to the KAFO. Novice users also had greater range of

motion at the knee. The experienced KAFO patients had reduced

velocity and cadence when wearing the new brace, but their peak knee

extension moments were greater.

The researchers noted that experienced KAFO users probably have

habitual gait patterns, which suggests it may take these patients

longer to adapt to the newer system.

The study was published in the December issue of Prosthetics and

Orthotics International.