RGO Reciprocating Walking Orthosis

  1. Home Page
  2. Orthoses

RGO Reciprocating Walking Orthosis

RGOs are often prescribed for people with paralysis due to conditions such as spinal cord injury or post-polio syndrome.
 
The resoprocal gait orthosis or Ferrari Orthosis is a functional gait orthosis commonly applied in parapilgic or Spina Bifida patients who need ambulation.

In the RGO orthosis, both hips are connected to each other by a steel spring. Moving one of our hip joints forward (flexion) creates a mechanical tension and enables the opposite direction of our other hip (extension moment). Therefore, very successful results have been obtained, especially in cases with the ability to bend (active flexion) from one of the hip joints.
 
Repetitive reciprocating walking with each step prevents the formation of hip contracture. We can lock the hip joint with dual mobility while standing and bring it to a completely free position when sitting. The main benefits of the device are the ability to stand hands-free and to start walking in parallel with the device adaptation process. For children who do not have a contracture above 30 degrees and do not have mental problems, an average of 2 years of age is considered suitable for application.
 
The mechanism of the device is produced according to the patient's weight and height in the Can ERDEM Orthosis Prosthesis Biomechanics Center.
 
RGO Reciprocating Gait Orthosis, NGOs has been used successfully for children younger than 2.5 years with spina bifida and has also seen success in other pediatric diagnoses. Adult paraplegics often choose a wheelchair as their preferred mode of transportation, but the mobility of an RGO offers familiar and attractive freedom.
 
RGO is a full-body orthosis device that allows pelvic rotation mimicking natural biomechanics and gait – physiological rotation during gait. Rehabilitation training is intense with great rewards, but requires dedication and encouragement.
 
Mechanical RGOs for rehabilitation have advanced over the years and typically consist of locking knee joints, hip joints, and bilateral KAFOs (also HKAFOs) with a combination of a custom-molded pelvic girdle and a thoracic extension. Traditionally, hip joints are joined by cables to prevent simultaneous bilateral hip flexion. Hip extension on one side and hip flexion through the cables on the other creates the characteristic reciprocal gait pattern.
 
 
The modern RGO control is developed with software and stepper motors. Exoskeletons are increasingly used in rehabilitation with incredible results. Advanced exoskeletons provide varying degrees of functional muscle stimulation for users.