• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2013

This study investigated the effects of axillary crutch length on trunk muscle activity and lumbo-pelvic-hip complex movements during crutch gait. Eleven healthy men participated in this study. The participants performed a three-point gait with optimal, shorter, and longer crutch lengths. Weight-bearing (WB) side was determined as the dominant leg side. The electromyography (EMG) activity of the bilateral rectus abdominis (RA) and erector spinae (ES) muscles and lumbo-pelvic-hip complex movements were monitored using a three-dimensional motion system with wireless surface EMG. Differences in the EMG activity of RA and ES muscles and range of motion (ROM) of lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip among conditions were analyzed using one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance, and a Bonferroni correction was conducted. There was less RA muscle activity on the WB side under the optimal crutch length condition compared with shorter and longer crutch length conditions (p<.05). The EMG activity of the RA muscle on the non-WB side and ES muscle on the WB side were significantly decreased under the optimal crutch length condition compared with shorter crutch length condition (p<.05). No significant differences in the EMG activity of the ES muscle on the non-WB side and ROM of lumbo-pelvic-hip complex were found among conditions (p>.05). These findings indicate that the optimal crutch length improves the trunk muscle efficiency during crutch gait.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.9
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• pp.4001-4007
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• 2011

In this study, we selected ten normal women in their 20's and 4 weeks measured Exercise Intensity, Voluntary Ventilation, Respiratory Exchange Ratio, Oxygen and Calorie Consumption and Ventilation Equivalent of them during Normal Gait, Splint-equipped Gait and Crutch Gait With Splint in order to find out whether the movement limitation and the weight of orthosis could have an effect on energy consumption. Each gait was conducted at a comfortable speed, 2.74 km/h for 30 minutes equipped with splint whose average weight is 1.2 kg. In the result of the study, The Crutch Gait With Splint showed high Exercise Intensity compaired to Normal Gait and Splint-equipped Gait. In addtion, in The Voluntary Ventilation and Oxygen Consumption, The Crutch Gait showed higher figures than two the others and the difference was significant as well(p<0.05). As for The Calorie Consumption, it also showed higher figures than two the others but the difference was not statistically significant. Finally, in The Respiratory Exchange Ratio and The Ventilation Equivalent, there was no significant difference among three conditional variables.

• Design Convergence Study
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.243-253
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• 2016

In this study, crutch and crutch gait for the handicapped in the lower extremity were discussed, and the study was conducted as a part of long-term research that suggests a practical solution for a crutch design. Three axillary crutches were evaluated in the study by a set of design guidelines for crutches delivered from the advanced research. In this comparative study with axillary crutch design variations, 31 healthy subjects were participated and three crutches were evaluated by ten guidelines. The result showed that Mobilegs-ultra and In-motion Pro were significantly greater than KM Crutch. However, no statistically significant difference was found between Mobilegs-ultra and In-motion Pro. While analyzing with guidelines, Mobilegs-ultra and In-motion Pro were significantly greater than KM Crutch for 6-guideline, but no significant difference was found among three crutches for the guidelines related with Lightweight and Economical feasibility and marketability. The result of the study is expected to be used for a solid foundation to evaluate for the reasonableness of the guidelines with comprehensive analysis for crutch gait evaluation in the further study.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.133-139
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• 2014

This paper proposes a wearable and motorized crutch control system for the patients using the conventional crutches. The conventional crutches have a few disadvantages such as the inconvenience caused by the direct contact between the ground and the armpit of the patients, and unstable gait patterns. In order to resolve these problems, the motorized crutch is designed as a wearable type on an injured lower limb. In other words, the crutch makes the lower limb to be moved forward while supporting the body weight, protecting the lower limb with frames, and rotating a roller equipped on the bottom of the frames. Also the crutch is controlled using the electromyography and two force sensing resistor (FSR) sensors. The electromyography is used to extract the walking intention from the patient and the FSR sensors to classify the stance and swing phases while walking. As a result, the developed crutch makes the patients walk enabling both hands to be free, as if normal people do.

• Design Convergence Study
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.55-70
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• 2018

This study was conducted as a part of long-term project on the development of a set of design guidelines for a crutch as mobility aids for the handicapped in the lower extremity and the suggestion a practical solution for a crutch design. The purpose of this study is to develop a design of a crutch and a set of prototypes that reflects the characteristics of crutch-gait and has a realistic possibility for mass production-based industry. TOGO, a axillary crutch as the result of this study, shows a number of characteristics distinguished from ordinary crutches. These are (1)Minimize the shock associated with planting of the crutch tips by improving the form and structure of crutch tip and axillary pad, (2)Ergonomically designed crutch in accordance with users' body movement while walking on crutches, (3)Easy length control to maximize mobility and maneuverability by changing the cross section of the crutch revolutionary, (4)Minimize possibilities of safety hazards, and (5)Attractive shape of the crutch to keep user self-esteem. The revolutionary crutch derived from this study results has been patented, and the company is seeking to mass-produce and find ways to commercialize it after reviewing the potential problems that may arise in the mass production environment.

• Design Convergence Study
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.157-169
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• 2015

In this study, three axillary crutches(Mobilegs, KM crutch, Pro In-motion) were tested with 12 healthy male subjects by measuring the EMG activity of the latissimus dorsi and gastrocnemius and the user-perceived levels focusing on the comfort and ease of use. The result showed that the EMG activity of the gastrocnemius was significantly reduced during ambulation using Mobilegs and Pro In-motion compared with the ambulation using KM crutch, a conventional crutch. However, no statistically significant difference was found for EMG activity of the latissimus dorsi. Subjects perceived the Mobilegs to be more comfortable and easy to use than the other crutches. Theses result may delivered mostly from the characteristics of spring-loaded axillary pad and ergonomic crutch handle. The results indicate that ambulation using the spring-loaded crutch is much easy with asking less exertion at gastrocnemius. In addition, the characteristics of crutch design, such as embedded spring, makes muscles to consume less energy. When the reasonable structure and form of the axillary pad and crutch handle are applied herein, the ambulation using the crutches are perceived to comfort.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2013.05a
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• pp.1073-1074
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• 2013

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.207-214
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of feedback methods and ambulatory assistive aids on accuracy of partial weight bearing in healthy adults. Twenty subjects were recruited and trained to 30% weight bearing of body weight (BW) using 3-point gait crutches and wheeled walker pattern. Dynamic feedback group (n=11) was received dynamic postresponse feedback and static group (n=9) received static feedback. Force plate was used to measure %BW and GAITRite used to measure gait parameters in immediately and after 3 days of training. Immediately after training, there was not significantly at 30%BW target load in dynamic group with crutch gait (p>.05). There were significantly differences in %BW according to feedback methods and ambulatory aids (p<.05). There was not significant difference between immediately and after 3 days of training (p>0.05). There were significantly differences in gait velocity and stance ratio between crutches and wheeled walker gait (p<.05). Thus, it was suggested that if possible, use crutches, training for partial weight bearing via dynamic feedback is necessary.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.133-144
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• 1995

After resection of intraarticular, periacetabulum(P2) and pubic rami(P23) and extraarticular, proximal femur(P2-H12) by Enneking classification, reconstruction is very difficult. We experienced three cases of saddle prostheses for reconstruction after P2, P23, and P2-H12 resection in pelvic malignancies. Case 1 was a high grade chondrosarcoma in 36 year-old-man and P2 resection was done. But he died of disease 19 months after operation. Case 2 was a malignant giant cell tumor in 32 year-old-woman. P23 resection was given and she is disease-free 32 months after operation. Case 3 was an osteosarcoma of 27-year-old-man and P2-H12 resection was performed and he is disease-free postoperative 12 months now. According to MSTS functional evaluatin system, all three patients showed no pain(5), intermediate function(2), emotinally satisfied(3), one cane or crutch supported(1), limited walking(3), and minor cosmetic gait(3). There was no significant complication and no dislocation except intermittent inguinal hernia in case 2. All patients started crutch walking 3 weeks after operation. Around 6 months postoperatively, the preserved iliac wing(P1 component) was hypertrophied enough to endure the full weight bearing. All could have squating and kneeling positions. In conclusion, saddle prosthesis would be a very useful method of reconstruction after P2, P23, and/or H1-2 resection to shorten the operation time and to reduce the infection rate without significant loss of function.