THKAFO: Para Walker is used for which level of injury and movement restriction?

THKAFO: Para Walker is used for which level of injury and movement restriction?

• A. THKAFO: Para Walker
• B. TLSO: Plastic jacket
• C. KO: Swedish Knee Cage
• D. THKAFO: Reciprocating Gait Orthosis

Answer: (A)

The situation tests which mobility aid pairing is used for paraplegia with enough trunk control to walk using an assistive base. A THKAFO immobilizes the hip, knee, and ankle, so walking is possible only with an external support system. The Para Walker attaches to the THKAFO to provide a stable, forearm-supported base that lets someone with paraplegia stand and take steps using the arms and braces for guidance. This setup is chosen for individuals with a spinal cord injury below the thoracic level (paraplegia) who have adequate trunk control and upper‑extremity strength to assist gait but lack functional hip/knee flexion needed for more independent devices. In contrast, a thoracolumbar jacket (TLSO) is for trunk/spine immobilization without enabling leg gait, a Swedish Knee Cage is for knee immobilization, and a THKAFO with a reciprocating gait orthosis is used for a different gait pattern that requires more mechanism to produce reciprocal leg movement.

The situation tests which mobility aid pairing is used for paraplegia with enough trunk control to walk using an assistive base. A THKAFO immobilizes the hip, knee, and ankle, so walking is possible only with an external support system. The Para Walker attaches to the THKAFO to provide a stable, forearm-supported base that lets someone with paraplegia stand and take steps using the arms and braces for guidance. This setup is chosen for individuals with a spinal cord injury below the thoracic level (paraplegia) who have adequate trunk control and upper‑extremity strength to assist gait but lack functional hip/knee flexion needed for more independent devices.

In contrast, a thoracolumbar jacket (TLSO) is for trunk/spine immobilization without enabling leg gait, a Swedish Knee Cage is for knee immobilization, and a THKAFO with a reciprocating gait orthosis is used for a different gait pattern that requires more mechanism to produce reciprocal leg movement.