EVALUATION THE PATTERN AND MAGNITUDE OF THE LOADS APPLIED ON MTKRGO ORTHOSIS DURING WALKING OF PARAPLEGIC SUBJECTS

Abstract

Various kinds of orthosis have been designed for paraplegic subjects to stand and walk. They have been designed based on this assumption that most of the loads applied on the orthosis (OR) and body complex is transmitted by OR. In this study, it was aimed to determine the role of OR to transmit the loads by use of strain gauge system. Three spinal cord injury subjects, with lesion between T12 and L1, were recruited in this study. A motion analysis system with a Kistler force plate was used to collect the kinetic and kinematic parameters. Moreover, the loads applied on the OR were determined by use of strain gauges attached on the lateral bar of OR. The pattern of the loads applied on the complex, OR and body, differed from that of OR. Nearly 43% of adduction moment was transmitted by OR. In contrast the role of OR to transmit the flexing/extending moments and vertical force is negligible. The results of strain gauge and motion analysis systems differed completely from each other's. As the strain gauge show the absolute values of the loads applied on OR, it is recommended using its result in order to design an OR for paraplegic subjects.