[Development of the S-form hip brace of Wakayama Medical College type for osteoarthritis of the hip].

In order to improve the therapeutic results of conservative treatment for coxarthrosis and to start functional training soon after surgery, the S-form hip brace of Wakayama Medical College type has been developed with due regard to the instability of the hip joint which is related to the origin of coxarthrosis and to biomechanics of the hip joint. Functional investigation was made by electromyography, etc. Even healthy people tend to develop gradual lack of stability at the hip joint with aging and the tendency is more pronounced in secondary coxarthrosis. This brace has been designed to reinforce such an unstable hip joint both mechanically and functionally, to permit flexion, extension and abduction, to correct the inadequate position of the limb such as adduction, both internal and external rotation contractures, to prevent up- and outward movement of the femoral head and to keep it in a more centripetal position. This brace had been applied to 1,678 cases in 17 years from 1964 to 1980 and the following results were obtained. In the period from pre-osteoarthritis to the first half of advanced stage, complaints were improved and progression of the disease was suppressed. In the period from advanced to terminal stage, this brace was used after surgery and walking ability was soon improved.