N.1 AFO / KAFO Lifting Technology

As a patient with a rare adult-onset neuromuscular disease and no current treatments or therapies, my personal goal is to retain ambulation and independence as long as possible. I currently use ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) devices to assist in walking. When wearing one AFO on my left leg, I can get out of chairs and off toilets independently. I recently had to acquire an AFO for my right foot due to increased weakness and instability. Unfortunately, when wearing both AFOs, I am unable to get out of chairs and off toilets. Therefore, I don’t wear the second AFO, making me unstable and susceptible to falls. As I measure a zero in quadriceps strength, a Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (KAFO) device would be even worse for me as it would be impossible to stand from a seated position. It would be helpful to have an AFO or KAFO that not only prevents falls, but could also assist in rising and standing. Is there a lightweight mechanical or electrical option that could be integrated into an AFO and/or KAFO to assist in rising from seated to standing positions?

An ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) controls the range of motion in your foot and ankle and helps to stabilize its position. Good foot and ankle alignment is vital for balancing and distributing weight when you are standing and walking. Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses (KAFOs) are designed to provide support and proper joint alignment of the knee, foot and ankle, assist or substitute for muscle weakness and joint instability, and protect the lower limb. Most units only provide resistance to avoid falls, including more sophisticated units like the Ottobock C-Brace1 and Thrive Hercules Custom KAFO2. There are booster seats3 to assist with rising from a chair, but they do not help with rising from toilets and are bulky to carry around. In my consultations and conversations with orthotics professionals, we have not identified any integrated AFO/KAFO technologies that assist in lifting users.

Those affected by neuromuscular, neurological or recovering from paraplegia would be candidates and welcome a lift assist that is integrated into their AFO/KAFO. For those facing lower extremity weakness and instability (especially in the quadriceps), there is apprehension and anxiety with sitting and/or using restrooms in public places. Even those that use powered wheelchairs or scooters struggle to get out of their chairs and lifting assistance built into a wearable device would be welcomed. According to CerebralPalsy.org, AFOs account for 26% of all orthotics used in the United States4. KAFOs are less common than AFOs, but they are still widely used to support the knee, ankle, and foot.