[Acceptance of Allgöwer/Wenzl partial dynamic weight bearing orthosis. Results using a hidden step counting device]

In 30 patients (12 male and 18 female) with extensive lesions of the cartilage of the upper and lower ankle joint, controlled partial-loading of the lower extremity was established by means of the load-relieving orthosis by Allgöwer and Wenzl. In these orthoses a hidden step-counter could be integrated. Average patient age was 46 (range 20 to 74) years. The load-relieving orthosis was used on average for 68 (range 22 to 98) days with a mean of 10,756 steps (range: 261 to 30,538); respectively 158 steps per day. Neither age, sex, diagnosis nor the duration of complete postoperative immobilisation correlated with the number-of-steps-per-diem compliance (r > +0.22).