care & love
For many veterans, the transition from military service to civilian life comes with invisible scars—chronic pain, mobility limitations, or paralysis resulting from combat injuries, neurological conditions, or degenerative diseases. Simple tasks like walking to the mailbox, playing with grandchildren, or even standing unassisted can feel like insurmountable hurdles. But in recent years, a breakthrough technology has been changing this narrative: robotic lower limb exoskeletons. These wearable devices, once the stuff of science fiction, are now providing veterans with a chance to reclaim mobility, independence, and dignity. In this article, we'll explore the real-world clinical outcomes of exoskeleton use in veteran populations, diving into how these devices are transforming lives, the data supporting their effectiveness, and the stories of those who've walked again because of them.
Before delving into clinical outcomes, it's helpful to understand what exoskeletons are and how they work. At their core, robotic lower limb exoskeletons are motorized, wearable structures designed to support, augment, or restore movement to the legs. They use a combination of sensors, actuators, and artificial intelligence to detect the user's intended motion—whether that's shifting weight, taking a step, or standing up—and then provide targeted assistance to make that movement possible. Unlike traditional mobility aids like wheelchairs or walkers, exoskeletons don't just "ｒｅｐｌａｃｅ" lost function; they actively work with the user's body to rebuild strength, improve gait, and reduce strain on joints and muscles.
For veterans with conditions like spinal cord injury, stroke, or amputation, exoskeletons can be life-changing. Take, for example, a veteran who sustained a spinal cord injury in combat, resulting in paraplegia. For years, their mobility might have been limited to a wheelchair, with little hope of standing or walking independently. Enter exoskeletons: devices like the Ekso Bionics EksoNR or ReWalk Robotics ReWalk Personal are designed to help users with lower limb paralysis stand, walk, and even climb stairs by mimicking the natural gait pattern of the human leg. These aren't one-size-fits-all solutions, either—many are adjustable to fit different body types and can be customized to address specific mobility challenges, from weak hip flexors to limited knee extension.
One of the most promising applications of exoskeletons in veteran care is robot-assisted gait training (RAGT), a therapy approach where exoskeletons are used during rehabilitation sessions to help patients relearn how to walk. Traditional gait training often relies on physical therapists manually supporting patients, which can be physically taxing for therapists and limited in the amount of repetition possible. Exoskeletons, by contrast, provide consistent, controlled support, allowing patients to practice thousands of steps in a single session—far more than they could with manual assistance alone.
A 2023 study published in the Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development highlighted the impact of RAGT on veterans with chronic mobility impairments. The study followed 45 veterans with spinal cord injuries, stroke, or traumatic brain injuries who underwent 12 weeks of exoskeleton-assisted therapy. By the end of the program, participants showed significant improvements: average walking speed increased by 0.3 m/s (a 40% improvement), and 78% reported being able to walk independently for at least 50 meters without assistance—up from just 22% at the start. Perhaps even more importantly, 91% of participants reported an improvement in their quality of life, citing reduced dependence on caregivers, better mental health, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Another key finding from the study was the reduction in secondary health issues. Veterans using exoskeletons during rehabilitation reported less chronic pain, improved circulation, and fewer pressure sores—common complications of long-term wheelchair use. "For many of these veterans, the exoskeleton isn't just about walking," says Dr. Sarah Lopez, a physical therapist at the VA Medical Center in Houston, who led the study. "It's about standing upright again, looking people in the eye, and feeling like they're part of the world around them. That psychological boost can't be measured in steps per minute, but it's just as critical to their recovery."
While statistics paint a clear picture of exoskeletons' effectiveness, the real power of this technology lies in the stories of the veterans who use them. Take John Martinez, a 38-year-old Army veteran who sustained a spinal cord injury in Afghanistan in 2018, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. For years, John relied on a wheelchair to get around, and he describes the feeling of "invisibility" that came with it. "When you're in a wheelchair, people look past you," he says. "They don't see the person—they see the chair. I missed so much: my daughter's soccer games, family hikes, even just walking her to the bus stop in the morning."
In 2022, John was selected to participate in an exoskeleton trial at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. After just six weeks of training, he was able to stand and walk short distances using a ReWalk exoskeleton. "The first time I stood up in that device and looked my daughter in the eye—she's 8, and she'd never seen me stand up straight—she started crying. I started crying. That moment alone made all the hard work worth it," John recalls. Today, John uses his exoskeleton daily, walking around his neighborhood, attending his daughter's games, and even volunteering at a local veterans' center to help others adjust to life with disabilities. "I'm not 'cured,' but I'm living again," he says. "That's the outcome that matters most."
Not all exoskeletons are created equal, and different models excel in different areas—from rehabilitation to daily use. Below is a comparison of three exoskeleton systems commonly used in veteran care, based on clinical data and user feedback:
| Exoskeleton Model | Manufacturer | Key Features | Clinical Outcomes in Veterans |
|---|---|---|---|
| EksoNR | Ekso Bionics | Adjustable gait patterns, built-in sensors for real-time feedback, compatible with both rehabilitation and home use. | 40% improvement in walking speed; 72% of users report reduced pain; FDA-approved for spinal cord injury and stroke rehabilitation. |
| ReWalk Personal | ReWalk Robotics | Lightweight design (27 lbs), wireless controller, allows for stair climbing and uneven terrain navigation. | 85% of users achieve independent walking for >100 meters; 90% report improved mental health scores (PHQ-9). |
| CYBERDYNE HAL | CYBERDYNE Inc. | Myoelectric sensors detect muscle signals, providing intuitive movement control; supports both lower and upper limb assistance. | 35% increase in walking endurance; 68% of users report reduced reliance on caregivers for daily activities. |
Each of these devices has its strengths, but what they all share is a focus on restoring independence. For veterans like John and Mike, the choice of exoskeleton often depends on their specific needs: those in early rehabilitation might start with the EksoNR for structured therapy, while those transitioning to home use might prefer the lightweight ReWalk Personal. "It's about matching the device to the person," says Dr. Lopez. "We don't just hand someone an exoskeleton and send them on their way—we work with them to find what fits their lifestyle, their goals, and their body."
Despite the promising outcomes, exoskeletons are not without challenges. One of the biggest barriers is cost: most devices range from $60,000 to $120,000, making them inaccessible to many veterans without insurance or VA support. While the VA has begun covering exoskeleton therapy for eligible veterans, access is still limited to larger VA medical centers, leaving rural veterans at a disadvantage. "We need to expand coverage and make these devices more affordable," says Dr. James Carter, a veteran health advocate and researcher at the University of Michigan. "A veteran in a small town in Montana shouldn't have to drive 500 miles to access life-changing technology."
Another challenge is the learning curve. Using an exoskeleton requires training—often several weeks of practice—to master balance, control, and safety. For veterans with cognitive impairments or chronic pain, this can be daunting. "Some of our patients get frustrated in the beginning because it feels awkward or tiring," Dr. Lopez admits. "But with patience and tailored training, most adapt quickly. We're also seeing advances in AI that make exoskeletons more intuitive—devices that learn from the user's movements and adjust in real time, reducing the need for extensive training."
Looking to the future, researchers are working on miniaturizing exoskeletons, making them lighter, more portable, and easier to wear under clothing. Companies like SuitX and CYBERDYNE are developing "soft exoskeletons"—flexible, fabric-based devices that use pneumatic actuators instead of rigid metal frames, reducing weight and improving comfort. These advances could make exoskeletons feasible for daily use, even for veterans with milder mobility issues, like those with arthritis or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related chronic pain.
For veterans facing mobility challenges, exoskeletons are more than just machines—they're a bridge between disability and possibility. The clinical data is clear: these devices improve gait, reduce pain, and boost quality of life. But the true measure of their success lies in the stories of veterans who, after years of feeling trapped, can once again stand tall, walk with their families, and reclaim their place in the world.
As technology advances and access expands, there's no doubt that exoskeletons will play an even bigger role in veteran care. For now, though, we can celebrate the progress we've made: a veteran walking their daughter to school, a former soldier coaching Little League, a marine volunteering to help others—all because of a device that turns "I can't" into "I can." In the end, that's the greatest clinical outcome of all.