Enhanced Mobility and Security for Injury, Stroke, and Polio Victims

An electronically controlled mechanical knee-joint system provides a far greater level of mobility, reliability, and safety than a conventional orthoses for the paralyzed.

The E-MAG Active knee-joint system works independently of the ankle joint or sole of the foot, providing a natural, smoother gait pattern when walking for those with no ankle functionality, such as in people who have suffered partial or complete paralysis as a result of poliomyelitis, stroke, or postpolio syndrome. The lightweight system is based on an intelligent sensor system that measures the position of the leg during walking and electronically controls the orthotic knee-joint accordingly, locking and unlocking it depending on forefoot load and knee extension. As a result, the system automatically locks in the stance phase and unlocks in the swing phase whilst walking.


The E-MAG Active is suitable for a body weight of up to 85 kilograms, and requires that certain residual muscle functions or hyperextension of the knee joint are maintained to guarantee consistent activation of the swing and stance phases. The E-MAG Active system also gives the user more confidence in their movements by generating a clear acoustic or vibration feedback signal to alert as to the joint's status. Depending on the type of physical activity, the energy efficient batteries of the system will deliver up to 10,000 steps per day, although daily recharging is recommended. The E-MAG Active is a product of Otto Bock Healthcare (Duderstadt, Germany).

"E-MAG Active has ushered in a new era in orthotics. The secure stance and free swing phases give users a more natural walking pattern, which enhances confidence and leads to a freer range of movement and greater patient compliance,” said Craig Stevens, product manager at Otto Bock Healthcare. "The feedback system also eliminates a host of secondary problems often related to injury caused as a result of a fall.”

Orthoses are devices that can support an injured or damaged body part by providing relief during the healing process; this also applies to injuries to ligaments, joints, or bones following a sports injury. In case of injuries that do not heal or permanent damage to the body part, orthoses provide relief by supporting the affected body part by partially compensating for lost functions, and help prevent subsequent damages that are caused by incorrect posture or positioning, often leading to wear of the affected body parts.

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