Post Polio Knee Brace comments Part 1
Jim Thelen
Description
Collection
Title:
Post Polio Knee Brace comments Part 1
Creator:
Jim Thelen
Date:
8/24/2001
Text:
Thanks everyone for the many replies received concerning my question. I am posting original question and the replies for your information. This is part 1 of 2.
46 yo female with post polio syndrome who exhibits mild knee instability due
to weak quads. She uses knee extension to stabilize her knee and walks very
well with no noticeable limp. Occasionally (2-3 times a day), she
experiences knee buckling. She does not go into recurvatum and otherwise
does well unbraced.
Rx is for a locking knee brace. Dr. admits to not knowing much about post
polio so would be open to other suggestions. I feel she will not be
compliant with a locked knee brace and instead am looking for another
alternative. I have suggested a floor reaction AFO which she has objected
to. She wants an invisible, cool, light weight orthosis :).
I feel she would do well with an elastic or neoprene hinged brace or a
double upright KO either of which would be best with posterior offset
hinges. Seeking suggestions or sources.
Thanks
-------------------------------------
Try the UTX Swing Orthosis. It was reviewed in John Michael's O&P corner,
about 2 months ago. Single upright KAFO with anterior bands, no plastic,
very non-invasive, locks in stance, unlocks for swing with around 5-10
degrees dorsiflexion. Worth investigating. Kaisha Gurry
-------------------------
Try the Camp Toe Off AFO, very, very light and even stronger as a simple
floor reaction AFO, also returnable to Camp I believe if only tried in your
facility. Bob Bangham, C.O., L.O.
-------------------------------------
I think you are on the right track. Do not lock up her knee! Make her a
custom KO with posterior offset knee joints. This will most likely give her
the stability she needs without locking her knee,
Good luck. Ron Kidd, CPO
-------------------------------------
She might do well with a Toe-Off AFO from Camp.
Ted A. Trower C.P.O
-------------------------------------
Absolutely do not lock the knee...Get a Townsend polio knee brace with
Becker posterior offset joints!!! <Email Address Redacted>
-------------------------
Sounds like a toughie. Could you consider the Becker Trick Knee hinges, or
would they be too bulky? Josh Ryder, C.O.
--------------------------------------
Maybe a free motion knee joint and a dorsi-stop at the ankle to provide a
knee extension force would work for this pt. The new Townsend KAFO would meet
pts. request for cool, lightweight. Troy Fink, CO
--------------------------------------
Offset hinges will do nothing for her or you unless they are axially loaded.
Neither will a neoprene sleeve with or without hinges. Try to lower the
heel on her shoes, or try a shorter otto-bock extension assist kafo out of
carbon fiber for better cosmesis. otherwise explain you cannot help her if
cosmesis is a problem and let someone else fail with the rx. June Magnussen
------------------------------------
46 yo female with post polio syndrome who exhibits mild knee instability due
to weak quads. She uses knee extension to stabilize her knee and walks very
well with no noticeable limp. Occasionally (2-3 times a day), she
experiences knee buckling. She does not go into recurvatum and otherwise
does well unbraced.
Rx is for a locking knee brace. Dr. admits to not knowing much about post
polio so would be open to other suggestions. I feel she will not be
compliant with a locked knee brace and instead am looking for another
alternative. I have suggested a floor reaction AFO which she has objected
to. She wants an invisible, cool, light weight orthosis :).
I feel she would do well with an elastic or neoprene hinged brace or a
double upright KO either of which would be best with posterior offset
hinges. Seeking suggestions or sources.
Thanks
-------------------------------------
Try the UTX Swing Orthosis. It was reviewed in John Michael's O&P corner,
about 2 months ago. Single upright KAFO with anterior bands, no plastic,
very non-invasive, locks in stance, unlocks for swing with around 5-10
degrees dorsiflexion. Worth investigating. Kaisha Gurry
-------------------------
Try the Camp Toe Off AFO, very, very light and even stronger as a simple
floor reaction AFO, also returnable to Camp I believe if only tried in your
facility. Bob Bangham, C.O., L.O.
-------------------------------------
I think you are on the right track. Do not lock up her knee! Make her a
custom KO with posterior offset knee joints. This will most likely give her
the stability she needs without locking her knee,
Good luck. Ron Kidd, CPO
-------------------------------------
She might do well with a Toe-Off AFO from Camp.
Ted A. Trower C.P.O
-------------------------------------
Absolutely do not lock the knee...Get a Townsend polio knee brace with
Becker posterior offset joints!!! <Email Address Redacted>
-------------------------
Sounds like a toughie. Could you consider the Becker Trick Knee hinges, or
would they be too bulky? Josh Ryder, C.O.
--------------------------------------
Maybe a free motion knee joint and a dorsi-stop at the ankle to provide a
knee extension force would work for this pt. The new Townsend KAFO would meet
pts. request for cool, lightweight. Troy Fink, CO
--------------------------------------
Offset hinges will do nothing for her or you unless they are axially loaded.
Neither will a neoprene sleeve with or without hinges. Try to lower the
heel on her shoes, or try a shorter otto-bock extension assist kafo out of
carbon fiber for better cosmesis. otherwise explain you cannot help her if
cosmesis is a problem and let someone else fail with the rx. June Magnussen
------------------------------------
Citation
Jim Thelen, “Post Polio Knee Brace comments Part 1,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 14, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/217150.
