Development of a Swimming Pool Knee Ankle-Foot Orthosis for a Polio Survivor with Leg-Length Discrepancy

Abstract

We have fabricated and evaluated a swimming pool orthosis for a polio survivor with bilateral leg muscle weakness and leg-length differences. Following are some desires that the subject had expressed: “I prefer not to ask for assistance,” “I can't get my regular orthosis wet,” “I want to be able to do all possible activities after changing into a pool orthosis in the changing room,” “I want to be able to use swimming pool facilities that don’t have wheelchair to access to the poolside,” and “I want to be able to walk in water in the swimming pool.” It was difficult to respond to these desires with ready-made or commercially available orthoses; therefore, we developed a new orthosis . Focusing on the function of the orthosis that the subject wanted to use at the poolside, we made the orthosis water-resistant and easier to put on and take off . Since there was no need for a seated position at the poolside, we removed the knee joint and adapted the carbon monocoque shell . We also diverted the prosthetic foot parts. As a result, we were able to develop a swimming pool orthosis that allows the user to walk alternately with both legs after changing into the orthosis in a changing room, to swim in a pool with the orthosis on, and to stay in the standing position in the shower room and other locations . The choice of pool facilities for the subject has been expanded, and daily use of a pool has become a possibility.