The THKAFO Reciprocating Gait Orthosis is used for which condition?

• A. Lower Cervical SCI
• B. T9-T12 SCI or Spina Bifida
• C. Hip Osteoarthritis
• D. Cervical Spondylosis

Answer: (B)

The device is designed for people who have paralysis of the legs from a thoracic-level spinal cord injury or from spina bifida, allowing functional walking with a reciprocating gait mechanism. It pairs hip-knee-ankle-foot support with a cable linkage that rhythmically coordinates the opposite leg, so the user can advance one leg while the other is stabilized, provided there is enough trunk control and upper-extremity strength to manage the system. This makes thoracic-level injuries around T9–T12 and spina bifida with paraplegia the typical, best-fit conditions for its use. It isn’t used for degenerative joint problems like hip osteoarthritis, nor for neck-level issues such as cervical spondylosis, and higher cervical spinal injuries often limit the upper-body function needed to operate such an orthosis.