Free-Swing Horton Knee Unlocks Mobility for KAFO Wearers

Many SCOKJ wearers feel comfortable to walking on slopes or rough terrain.

For KAFO wearers there's a new advanced orthosis that offers free motion during the swing phase and automatically locks at heel strike, providing a more natural gait.

The Horton Stance Control Orthotic Knee Joint (SCOKJ), designed by Gary Horton, CO, of Arkansas, combines a more natural gait with greater energy efficiency while preserving the stability of a traditional locked knee. It is designed for people who have weak quadriceps or varying degrees of knee instability due to polio, spinal cord injuries, or other conditions.

The joint has a switch to select between the three modes: Automatic Stance Control, Free Motion, and Manual Lock, and can be adjusted to match the wearer's individual gait.

According to John Michael, CPO, and author of a column on O&P innovations, a number of people who were fit with the stance control knee felt comfortable enough to walk on slopes and over rough terrain.

"We have dreamed for ages of having a knee joint for orthotic patients that would automatically unlock for swing phase but safely re-engage for stance stability," said Michael. He advises that the SCOKJ be paired with a solid-ankle design or with an ankle that features an anterior stop that stabilizes the knee in late stance when the locks are disengaged.

The SCOKJ is for people with varying degrees of knee instability.

The Horton Stance Control Orthotic Knee Joint can be used in three ways: 1) free knee, 2) locked in 180-degree extension, or 3) stance control mode.

NOPS' Brad Rosenberger, CPO, completed the specialized SCOKJ program that trained him to fit the Horton knee. Several of his patients have already benefitted from the new technology.

To find out if the Horton Stance Control Orthotic Knee Joint is right for you, or for more information, call our office. We'll be glad to answer any questions you may have.