Swing-through vs. reciprocating gait patterns in patients with thoracic-level spina bifida.

Three thoracic level spina bifida patients were evaluated in a gait laboratory. The patients first were asked to walk with a swing-through gait pattern using conventional hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis and then with a reciprocating gait pattern using the reciprocating gait orthosis (RGO). The reciprocating gait was modestly more efficient than the swing-through gait pattern. The average speed of free walking was 11.4 meters per minute with the swing-through pattern and 16.2 meters per minute with the reciprocating pattern. The stride length was 0.31 meters and 0.54 meters with the swing-through and reciprocating patterns respectively. The RGO needs further modifications to improve the walking ability of spina bifida patients. The hip joints permit only flexion and extension and no rotational movement. The lack of internal and external rotation inhibits hip movement, reduces stride length, reduces the speed of walking and causes the cables to bind and eventually break. With design changes, future bracing systems will permit improved walking in the high level spina bifida patients.