Pelvic band use in orthotics for adult paraplegic patients

The biomechanical comparison of ambulation by paraplegics having orthoses with and without pelvic bands indicates that when pelvic bands are used, excursions in lumbar flexion and extension are increased, and amplitude of center of gravity displacement is increased. Without the pelvic band, stride length is significantly increased. The patients found transferring to be extremely difficult with the band, and in the final analysis preferred their orthoses without the pelvic band. The pelvic band is thus indicated only for the adult paraplegic patient who has specific problems in ambulation which outweigh the disadvantages defined in this study.