Prolongation of walking in Duchenne muscular dystrophy with lightweight orthoses: review of 57 cases.

Fifty-seven boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy aged between 6 years 3 months and 13 years 6 months, who were at the point of losing the ability to walk or had recently done so, were fitted with lightweight knee-ankle-foot orthoses to re-establish walking. 47 walked well and independently in their orthoses, achieving good stability and confidence. 20 are still ambulant; the other 27 stopped walking at intervals ranging from eight to 48 months. Prolongation of walking prevented the development of scoliosis, joint contractures and deformities and also benefited the boys psychologically.