Comparison of gait between healthy participants and persons with spinal cord injury when using the advanced reciprocating gait orthosis.

Background:The advanced reciprocating gait orthosis (ARGO) has a rigid structure which provides restricted movement at the hip, knee, and ankle joints and incorporates a pelvic section with an extended section in the lumbar region. Healthy subjects, when walking with an RGO in situ, could feasibly demonstrate the level of limitation in movement imposed by ARGO-assisted ambulation.Objective:The aim of this study was to compare the function of the advanced reciprocating gait orthosis when fitted with the dorsiflexion-assist ankle–foot orthoses on temporal–spatial parameters and kinematics of walking in both able-bodied people and those with spinal cord injury.Study design:Quasi experimental design.Methods:Data were acquired from six able-bodied and four spinal cord injury subjects who used an advanced reciprocating gait orthosis which incorporated dorsiflexion-assist ankle–foot orthoses. Kinematics and temporal–spatial parameters were calculated and compared.Results:All able-bodied individuals walked with s...