Abstract
1. Walking should be started in congenital paraplegia at 14 to 18 months.
2. An appliance consisting of two calipers joined to a body brace is used to support the paralysed legs and trunk by the three-point pressure system.
3. Rigidity of the appliance is essential in the young child and allows the development of the rocking gait.
4. In the older child less rigidity is required and hip joints are introduced facilitating the development of a hinged type of gait. Hip and knee joints enable the child to sit.
5. Other appliances such as the Parapodium and the Shrewsbury splint are discussed. Rigidity of the ankle joints is recommended.
6. The results of orthopaedic rehabilitation in 148 cases of severe paraplegia are given.
7. The ideal requirements of a brace in congenital paraplegia are listed.
8. The advantages of ambulation in severe congenital paraplegia are discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
References
Hahn, H R (1970). Paraplegia, 8, 147.
Rose, K G (1970). J. Bone and Jt. Surg. 52-B, 178.
Strach, E H (1967). Brit. Med. J. 3, 791.
Strach, E H (1971). Devel. Med. & Child Neurol. 13, 6. Suppl. 25, 137.
Working Party on Sp. Bif. Bracing (1971). Personal communication.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Strach, E. Methods of bracing in the rehabilitation of the paraplegic child. Spinal Cord 11, 137–143 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1973.17
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1973.17
