Spinal cord lesions and lower extremity bracing: an overview and follow-up study

This study was undertaken to illustrate to what extent spinal cord injury patients used their lower extremity braces upon leaving the rehabilitation setting. A questionnaire was set to 60 people, all of whom had had braces prescribed from the Rehabilitation Institute of Montreal, in the 5-year-period between 1973-77. All had been discharged from the rehabilitation centre for at least 1 year. Thirty-five replies were received. The majority (60 per cent) continued to use their wheelchair as their main means of displacement. Thirty-one per cent did not use their braces at all. Most people tended to use their braces at home only for standing and exercise. The authors therefore believe that more careful study should be given to each individual case before braces are prescribed. Alternatives to bracing should be strongly considered. A review of the literature is included.