A comparison of elbow and wrist kinematics and kinetics during swing-through versus reciprocal gait with crutches in persons with incomplete spinal cord injury.

SG showed greater demands and RG showed higher requirements on trunk motor control. In addition, SG could increase the probability of back and neck pain. Therefore RG should be recommended, whenever possible, in incomplete spinal cord injured people. Rehabilitative management should consider adapting properly the crutch height and the inclination cane, loading the minimum weight on the crutches, using cushioning devices, reducing the duration of support phase, and limiting the overall use time of the crutches.