Demographics: Kenneth lives in Modena, NY. He is retired and lives alone.
Medical History: 22 years ago, he sustained traumatic left hemiparesis, due to a meningitis infection following placement of a spinal cord stimulator.
Findings: At the time of the evaluation, he was utilizing a traditional plastic KAFO (Knee, ankle, foot orthosis) that was over 5 years old. The ankle section of the device was cracked and desperately needed to be replaced. It was designed with bail locks and a solid ankle. Which means that his knee, ankle, and foot were locked and did not allow for knee flexion or extension or foot and ankle plantar flexion or dorsiflexion during ambulation. This led to complications with back and hip pain, as he had to hip hike and vault his body, to advance the effected lower extremity during sustained gait throughout the day.
Orthotic Goals: Kenneth’s goals were as follows: To be able stand and ambulate with increased stability and reduce the right hip and back pain, exercise, ambulate for a 1/4 mile, take the garbage out, go food shopping and play with his grandchildren in the park, be able to negotiate uneven terrain, ascend/descend stairs, descending slopes unassisted, be able to run and to increase his confidence ambulating in the community.
Orthotic Recommendation: At Kenneth’s request, he was fit with a C-Brace trial orthosis. Kenneth ambulated with the trial C-brace and at his admission, he was able to bend his effected knee during ambulation for the first time in over 21 years. He proved to be an excellent candidate for the C-Brace KAFO.
Definitive Fitting: Kenneth was fit with the new C-Brace KAFO on September 18th, 2023. The orthosis was programmed in the office and he took it home that day.
Three-Month Follow-Up: “It’s been twenty-two years now that I couldn’t bend this knee and now, I bend it!” He felt that his balance confidence was improving with the new C-Brace. He admitted that he went to a church function with his mother and for the first time, in a long time, he was able to carry two cups of coffee, one in each hand, without needing to hold onto an assistive device, like a cane. He feels like he has achieved most of his orthotic goals. His back and hip pain have reduced drastically. He plans on going to physical therapy to work on ascending and descending stairs properly.