Abstract
It is recognised that, in paraplegic walking with reciprocating gait orthoses, inadequate hip flexion angles may contribute to the low walking speed and high energy cost. In this study a new orthotic hip joint was developed which had a 2:1 flexion extension coupling ratio. Experiments on paraplegic subjects were conducted to evaluate this orthotic hip joint. It was found that the new hip joint was associated with a reduced energy cost and increased step length. A simple application of FES assisted hip flexion further increased walking speed and step length and reduced energy cost and crutch force impulse.
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Yang, L., Granat, M., Paul, J. et al. Further development of hybrid functional electrical stimulation orthoses. Spinal Cord 34, 611–614 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1996.109
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1996.109