The functional use of the reciprocal hip mechanism during gait for paraplegic patients walking in the Louisiana State University reciprocating gait orthosis

Reciprocally linked orthoses used for paraplegic walking have some form of linkage between the two hip joints. It has been assumed that flexion of the swinging leg is driven by extension of the stance leg. The aims of this st udy were to investigate the moments generated around the hip joint by the t wo cables in a Louisiana State University Reciprocating Gait Orthosis (LSU- RGO). Six (6) subjects were recruited from the Regional Spinal Injuries Cen tre at Southport, who were experienced RGO users. The cables were fitted wi th strain gauged transducers to measure cable tension. Foot switches were u sed to divide the gait into swing and stance phases. A minimum of 20 steps were analysed for each subject. Moments about the hip joint for each phase of gait were calculated. There were no moments generated by the front cable in 4 of the subjects. In only 2 subjects did the cable generate a moment that could assist hip flex ion during the swing phase. These moments were very low and at best could o nly have made a small contribution to limb flexion. The back cable generate d moments that clearly prevented bilateral flexion. It was concluded that t he front cable, as used by these experienced RGO users, did not aid flexion of the swinging limb.