summary of responses: KO with extension assist

summary of responses: KO with extension assist

Bill Lifford, CP

8/22/2004

Hello listmembers,

Thanks to all who responded!

Here is a summary of the responses to my post KO with extension assist...
Basically the majority of responses suggested checking out either Townsend's
extenstion assist hinged KO or Scott Orthotic Labs' extension assist KO.
Some others referred to Otto Bock's joint and the Becker joint as well. My
original post is first:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
ORIGINAL POST:
----------------------------------------------------------------------

hello colleagues,

I was recently referred a patient with femoral neuropathy and the Rx is for
a knee orthosis with extension assist. Other than an Ultraflex type
brace, who would make something like this? They definitely do not want the
knee to lock, though.

Thanks in advance for your advice. I'll post the responses.

Bill Lifford, CP



------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESPONSES:
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scott orthotic labs Makes an extension assist knee brace, Otto bock used to
make some joints with estension assist.


I just saw one in the Becker catalog--They call it an SKO. it is a pre-fab.
Becker also has the trick knee joint which has 3 springs for extension
assist. I have used it but it is relatively heavy and bulky.

Troy Fink, CO
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Townsend design has a nice option on their knee braces that has a truss head
type fixed above and below the joint that you place their heavy duty rubber
bands on for extension assist. This is an ambulatory type brace, not for
stretching. You can vary the # of bands dependent on the amount of extension
desired. Also can have a lever lock applied. Like a bail, that can be used
when needed or not.
Nathan Keepers, CPO

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Bill,

We used to use elastic shock cords that were placed over the knee axis in
such a way that they provided knee extension. As the patient sat down
(myelomeningocele kids), the shock cords slid past knee center and took the
extension moment out of the picture. I always thought it was a pretty good
design. It was developed by John Clancy at Riley Children's Hospital, here
in Indianapolis, I think. Hope it helps.

Wil Haines, CPO, LPO

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Bill www.townsenddesign.com has a great extension assist brace. First go to
the website and go to functional braces, then go to the sub list of
specialty braces and at the very bottom they have an extension assist, This
hinge can be used on any of thier braces.
Take care and good luck.
Steve Aceves

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bill - how about the Scott SKO with extension assist? Scott labs in Ft
Collins CO fabricates. Pamela Hale, CPO

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bill,
I believe Scott Ortho makes a KO with surgical tubing to give extension
assist.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bill,

There are a number of different ways to achieve extension assist. The
easiest is to order a Scott KO (800)821-5795. However, you can also
make it yourself.

One design is to cross two straps of elastic webbing across the knee
using a knee cap. I use plastic, easy release buckles to make it easy
to release the tension on the webbing. Another design is to run a
bungy cord from the proximal medial and lateral uprights down to an
anterior panel below the knee. The cord needs to run through a guide
below the knee so that it can stretch and contract without friction and
be guided to the sides of the knee. Both designs can be adjusted by
using stronger webbing or cords or changing the attachment points of them.

Feel free to contact me if you need more information.

Harold Anderson, CO

-------------------------------------------------------------------------


hey bill.
I think that gII has an extension assist joint. I am not sure whether or
not you want a more aggressive assist.
Take care,
Jen Halliday BSc CO(c)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Otto Bock posterior offset, 16 or 20MM with extension assist. Greg Straub,
CPO

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Bill:
Becker has a great extension assist knee joint called the G-Knee. You can
read up on it on their web site. I have had several good outcomes on
patients with compromised quads using this knee incorporated into a custom
thermoplastic and metal KAFO. David A. Yates, CPO, FAAOP

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

This will be a perfect candidate for the new stance control kafo's. Used
them for a similar patient with great results.
Marshall Katz,CO

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Bill,

I think Townsend has a KO with an extension assist and Scott labs has a
joint also. Depending on the patient you may be able to utilize the OTS
trigger knee lock which provides extension assist, flexion stop at about 30
degrees.

Good luck!

J. Tyra Rikimaru, CPO

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Bill, Otto Bock has a knee extension assist component which can be added to
thier multicentric knee joints. This is a mild extension assist, however.
Becker distributes a custom fit KO made by Scott Labs (I think) that uses a
bungee cord to provide extension assist. This can be adjusted by shortening
the cord. Hope this give you some ideas. Keever Wallace, CO

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Scott Orthotic Labs 1-800-821-5795

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello Bill,
Becker has a joint called Spring Assist Knee Joint model # 1016.
Angie C.O.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Bill-
Townsend does a real nice custom K.O. with extension assist. If you
want to fabricate in-house, Otto Bock has a joint (I don't know the
name/part #).

Todd

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Bill,

Otto Bock makes a knee joint with extension assist. Also, Becker makes
one--check out their web site.

Clyde

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Townsend makes a KO with an extension assist knee joint ((800) 432-3466).
Jim Fitzpatrick, CP

-----------------------------------------------------------------------








23/8/2004
<Email Address Redacted>
This electronic mail and any attachments are intended for the use of the intended
recipient and may contain privileged or otherwise confidential information.
Unauthorized review, use or distribution of this electronic mail or the information
contained herein or attached hereto by any person other than the intended
recipient is prohibited. If you have received this message in error please contact
our Compliance Dept at: <Email Address Redacted>

Thank you <Email Address Redacted>