Medical Walker for the Acute Rehabilitation of Unilateral Immobility

Student: Marissa Koscielski, 2017-2018

Sponsor: Marissa Koscielski , Notre Dame, IN

A multitude of pathological etiologies, ranging from cardiovascular disease to traumatic injury, result in lower limb amputations (LLA). Approximately 185,000 LLAs are performed annually, accounting for $12 billion in healthcare expenditure in the United States alone. In modern medicine, there is a 6-8 week wait between the operation and prosthetic fabrication, prohibiting the patient from reestablishing a normal gate motion during that time period. Using technology that facilitates a healthy walking pattern while maintaining wound integrity, my device will decrease subsequent complications and recovery times and increase independence and functional outcomes.