Vannini-Rizzoli stabilizing orthosis (boot): preliminary report on a new ambulatory aid for spinal cord injury.

Our objective was to evaluate a new orthosis which permits use of paralyzed limbs for standing and ambulation in patients with spinal cord injury. The Vannini-Rizzoli stabilizing boot immobilizes the leg, ankle, and foot in plantar flexion (15 degrees) while stabilizing the knee in the upright position. With the boot, balance and ambulation are achieved by learning to shift the center of gravity of the trunk and hips. Mobility is enhanced by using parallel bars, crutches, or a walker. Twenty-nine patients, aged 22 to 71 years, were in this study. Spinal cord levels of injury varied from C5 to L1. Patient selection and other pertinent data are given. The results indicate that more than 90% of the subjects were able to use the orthoses successfully to walk.