Reciprocating Gait Orthosis

 

  Danesh Afrooz N [1] , Masoomi M, Aghajani S.

  

  Abstract :

  One of the greatest goal of clinical societies about spinal cord injured patients, specially paraplegic ones, is showing them a way to stand and walk. The restoration of gait in paraplegic patients in actually arousing a great renewal of interest and prevent numerous physical complications due to immobility. One way to reach this purpose is using a new orthotic design named Reciprocating Gait Orthosis (RGO). The term " Reciprocating Gait Orthosis" derives from the application of the hip joint, since in the absence of hip muscles, the pelvis must be controlled in a reciprocating manner. The objective of the reciprocating gait design is to provide a more natural and efficient method of ambulation. By coupling the left and right orthoses in such a manner that hip extension in either one tends to force the other hip joint into flexion, provides coordinated motion between the legs and makes possible a "reciprocating" gait.

  For the first time in 1960, the principles of linking hip joints together for reciprocal movement in lower limb orthoses was proposed. In Ontario Crippled center of pediatric, Toronto, Canada, Motloch and colleagues present a mechanism working based on gear. After producing the first model of RGO and continuate modifications, many other different types of this orthosis was designed and produced. The basis of these orthotic designs is achieving reciprocal walking for patients. In all of these types, mechanical coupling between hip joints causes transmission of movement and then making reciprocating pattern. Five relatively common samples of RGOs is listed as follows: 1) Louisiana State University Reciprocating Gait Orthosis RGO), 2) Advanced Reciprocating Gait Orthosis (ARGO), 3) Horizontal Cable Reciprocating Gait Orthosis, 4) Isocentric Reciprocating Gait Orthosis (IRGO), 5) Biometric Reciprocating Gait Orthosis. Despite variety of common gait methods in paraplegic patients, it has not yet been selected the most suitable one. Suitability of a system depends on its efficiency and functionality that could include many of the factors based on researcher's spectacle.

 

  KedWords: RGO, Paraplegia.