Pneumatic orthosis for paraplegic patients: functional evaluation and prescription considerations

Fourteen paraplegic patients were studied during ambulation training, 11 with pneumatic orthoses and with conventional metal orthoses, and 3 with pneumatic orthoses only. The purposes of the study were to establish whether pneumatic orthoses could be used by paraplegic patients for effective ambulation, whether these devices presented any advantages or disadvantages over conventional orthoses and how their use would affect the expected level of rehabilitation and independence. As far as application, standing up, sitting down and ambulation within a rehabilitation center are concerned, similar skills and levels of independence were obtained with both types of orthoses. Reduced tendency for orthostatic hypotension, availability, light weight and better endurance make the pneumatic orthosis especially suitable for early ambulation training, but several mechanical problems, mainly its inflation with motorized and heavy compressor units, limit its usefulness for community ambulation.