Lightweight KAFO for polio
Ingrid Frank Prosthetics
Description
Collection
Title:
Lightweight KAFO for polio
Creator:
Ingrid Frank Prosthetics
Date:
10/11/2006
Text:
I have a 5'6, 115# gentleman with a history of polio at age 4 (he's now 40); sedentary during the day, moderately active on the weekends (pickup basketball and soccer) who enjoys traveling. He's currently wearing a two pound KAFO with polypro over titanium components, bail knee, full knee cap, custom molded leather bootie (to control his small flaccid foot from inverting and plantarflexing), 3 cloud crepe buildup to even off leg length (minus a bit). He has zero muscle strength in his leg, valgus at the knee, and very poor hip flexors and extensors. He is slowing down and has started to have some low back pain and his contralateral knee is starting to bother him. Physical therapy hasn't helped much and he is looking for answers.
Recently he was shown a picture of a UTX KAFO and now he tells me he has to have that brace. After some discussion, it turns out he really just wants a lighter weight, lower profile orthosis and despite my explanation of the benefits of the UTX system to him, he still insists he needs to walk with his knee locked and won't consider ever giving up the knee cap. He also wants a waistbelt, but no hip joint. The new doctor he saw said he was walking around with a ball and chain and that they could do better. I spent alot of time explaining to him that no brace is perfect, but that I might be able to come up with something to help reduce the weight of his device. He originally came to my office 6 years ago with a stainless steel KAFO made in Europe that weighed just under 6#, so he was pretty happy until recently.
What input and/or suggestions do you have? How much weight would I save using carbon graphite uprights? Any suggestions for helping his back? Thank you all in advance for any ideas you can share with your post-polio experience.
Ingrid Frank, C.P.
Recently he was shown a picture of a UTX KAFO and now he tells me he has to have that brace. After some discussion, it turns out he really just wants a lighter weight, lower profile orthosis and despite my explanation of the benefits of the UTX system to him, he still insists he needs to walk with his knee locked and won't consider ever giving up the knee cap. He also wants a waistbelt, but no hip joint. The new doctor he saw said he was walking around with a ball and chain and that they could do better. I spent alot of time explaining to him that no brace is perfect, but that I might be able to come up with something to help reduce the weight of his device. He originally came to my office 6 years ago with a stainless steel KAFO made in Europe that weighed just under 6#, so he was pretty happy until recently.
What input and/or suggestions do you have? How much weight would I save using carbon graphite uprights? Any suggestions for helping his back? Thank you all in advance for any ideas you can share with your post-polio experience.
Ingrid Frank, C.P.
Citation
Ingrid Frank Prosthetics, “Lightweight KAFO for polio,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 24, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/227450.
