RECIPROCATING GAIT ORTHOSIS POWERED WITH ELECTRICAL MUSCLE STIMULATION (RGO-II) .1. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF 70 PARAPLEGIC PATIENTS

Seventy paraplegics were fitted with an improved Reciprocating Gait Or thosis powered with or without (low-level injury) electrical stimulati on of the thigh muscles (RGO II) as a secondary rehabilitation phase a fter the acute period. The patients comprised a broad cross-section of the paraplegic population applying for medical services and varied in age from 16 to 55 years, time since injury ranging from less than 1 t o 15 years, injury levels ranging from C-6/7 to T-11/12, and varying l evels of spasticity, contractures, scoliosis and other related medical and physiologic problems. The success/failure ratio was dependent on the injury level, which was 1:1 for paraplegics with injury level at C -6/7; 1.67:1 for those with injury of T-1/3; and about 4:1 for paraple gics with injury level from T-3 to T-12. Lack of motivation and medica l problems unrelated to the RGO II treatment were the primary reasons for failure. The duration of treatment (outpatient service three times per week) ranged from 2 to 48 weeks (mean: 16). Forty-one patients wh o completed the RGO II rehabilitation and were sent home with the orth osis for independent use (for at least 6 months and up to 3 years) wer e surveyed by a staff member for analysis of the meaning and impact of the RGO II on the patient's life and health, and potential problems. It was shown that 80.5% of the 41 patients were regular users and 19.5 % were non-users. Thirty-eight of the 41 patients declined an offer to return the RGO II equipment for a full refund, while three patients w ere willing to return the orthosis.It was concluded that the RGO II is a viable orthosis for restoring standing and limited walking in parap legics while providing sufficient function, safety, and reliability. T he most appropriate patients for the use of such an orthosis consist p rimarily of those with T-3 to T-12 injury level and good motivation, a lthough highly selected patients with higher injury levels also can be nefit from its use. Regular use of the RGO II, even for exercise only, had a general positive impact on the patients' health and outlook.