What a great experience I had with a post-polio patient fitting today.  Patient was first diagnosed with polio when she was 11 years old.  Throughout her life the disease slowly affected her leaving her without musculature or control of her left leg. During the 90's she was first fit with the conventional metal and leather knee ankle foot orthosis (KAFO).  As she describes it best, "I always have to be very aware of every step I take due to the concentration that I have to do to prevent falls.  And believe me, I banged my head a few times."  With those words alone, I knew something must be done. Recently, an electronic knee joint was brought to market by Otto Bock Healthcare.  This knee joint is electronic and consists of a gyroscope and accelerometer that learns the patients gait, or way of walking.  It has a stance control feature that locks the knee joint during stance phase, and releases when the limb swings through.  If she misteps, or stumbles, the knee joint locks up preventing falls.  Well, today was the first fitting of the device with this patient, and she did beautifully.  I certainly recommend this knee joint to be fabricated into KAFO's if you are a candidate.  If you are wearing a KAFO (knee ankle foot orthosis), check with your Orthotist to determine whether or not you are eligible.