Orthotic experience in spinal cord injury (case report)

Abstract

Relevance

Traumatic spinal cord injury is a complex, urgent and multidisciplinary problem with a high percentage of disability and subsequent social exclusion. Treatment of neuroorthopedic pathologies is often associated with the need to use technical means of rehabilitation. The objective was to develop a successful orthosis for a patient with severe spinal cord injury.

Material and methods

The article describes a clinical case of a 16-year-old female patient with the outcome of a severe concomitant injury: lower paraplegia, sensory disturbances in the lower extremities and pelvic organ function. MRI of the spinal cord revealed cystic-glial changes and atrophy of the spinal cord at the Th10-12 level.

Results and discussion

With clinical signs of paraplegia and a complete spinal cord injury according to the instrumentation findings, the patient had poor prognosis for the recovery of motor functions in the lower limbs. One of the main tasks of medical rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injury is the activation of movements and restoration of locomotion. The Hip-Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis (HKAFO) manufactured at the Center was intended for unloading, replacement and fixation. The device was light and strong due to greater use of carbon layers, equipped with functional hinges to prevent development of contractures, had a high corset for external stabilization of the body and double knee splint for safe standing.

Conclusion

For the paraplegic patient, the opportunity to stand and walk with the support using successful orthosis was important from both physical and psychosocial perspectives and allowed correction of contractures in the catamnesis.