A PILOT-STUDY TO DETERMINE THE EFFICIENCY OF LIGHTWEIGHT CARBON-FIBERORTHOSES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM POSTPOLIOMYELITIS SYNDROME

Objectives: To assess the usage of carbon fibre orthoses in assisting postpolio syndrome patients who reported advancing weakness and diffic ulty in maintaining their independent ambulatory status. Design and in terventions: Carbon fibre orthoses that are 30% lighter than metal bra ces were constructed. Subjects: Thirty patients who complained of diff iculty in maintaining their ambulation using long-leg braces were prov ided with lightweight orthoses. Results: Seventy per cent of the patie nts reported satisfaction with their braces. There were, however, prob lems in construction and use, Conclusions: Ambulation can be preserved in some patients who report advancing weakness because of post-polio syndrome.