Standard underarm or forearm crutches have some drawbacks induced by their rigid legs. Sping‐ loaded crutches can reduce the impact effect. However, whether or not they also improve propulsion is an open problem. We formulate a problem of the optimal performance of spring‐loaded crutches and propose a numerical approach to solve the problem. Then, the nu...

Disuse osteopenia is a complication of immobilisation, with reversal generally noted upon remobilisation. This case report focuses on a patient who was seen 18 years following a road traffic collision when multiple fractures were sustained. The patient had an external fixator fitted for a tibia and fibula fracture, which remained in situ for a period of 4 years. Following removal, the patient w...

Abstract: Microprocessor based, surface electrodes peroneal nerve stimulator that allows voluntary control of the stimulation has been developed. Easiness of use, minimum required maintenance and the compliance with the EC requirements were the main design goals. Radio frequency link between the crutch mounted push-button and the stimulator enables the patient to control the timing of stimulati...

AIM To asses the intermediate rehabilitation outcome of patients with war-related below-knee amputations and compare it with the patients with other causes of amputation. METHOD The study comprised 74 patients with below-knee stumps admitted for rehabilitation at the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Split University Hospital, Croatia, in 1994. They were fitted with a prelimi...

This paper presents an evaluation and recommendations for the improvement of the user interface (UI) of medical exoskeleton robots for people with mobility disorders. Existing UIs of currently available medical exoskeletons lack the flexibility to serve a diverse user group who require more customization. A UI prototype consisting of a glove with buttons attached on fingertips, and a display mo...

A 48-year-old man with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) presented with a right pleural effusion. A 3D computed tomography (CT) angiogram showed an aneurysm of the right 11th intercostal artery. He had no history of chest trauma so we diagnosed a spontaneous rupture of the aneurysm causing a massive effusion. We opened his pleural cavity and found lacerated pleura and active bleeding in the poster...

Supporting weight on the upper support of crutches is not recommended because it can lead to axillary nerve damage. Despite this warning, improper axillary loadings may still occur because of a lack of arm strength or fatigue. It is generally accepted that improper use of conventional axillary crutches contributes to axillary nerve damage, but surprisingly there are no studies characterizing ax...

This paper describes a kinetic and kinematic study on axillary crutches during one-leg swing-through gait. The primary objective is to evaluate the interplay of forces at the crutch and body interfaces and to relate them in the understanding of problems associated with the use of axillary crutches. Ten normal adult male subjects with simulated left leg impairment participated in the study. For ...