Use of Ischial Weight-bearing Braces in Osteogenesis Imperfecta

The realignment osteotomy and rodding fixation is the most popular procedure for straightening the deformity of the femur in patient with osteogenesis imperfecta.We have been applying this procedure in most cases with osteogenesis imperfecta, and have applied long leg braces to them after operation.But, insufficient immobilization by long leg brace leads to bowing of the leg recurrently.We designed ischial weight-bearing braces in these cases.A quadrilatieral socket with an ischial seat is used for thigh shell, and a free off-set knee joint promotes the knee stability, and ankle joint is allowed to move 15 degrees forward as well as backward.We have applied these braces in four cases.This design provides a better gait pattern, and prevents the formation of recurrent deformity.