reply to the list
Eric O'Guinn, CPO
Description
Collection
Title:
reply to the list
Creator:
Eric O'Guinn, CPO
Date:
4/29/2008
Text:
The following is a complete list of replies regarding my inquiry into the
Bellacure OA knee orthosis.
Reply 1. I attempted to use the device you are speaking about on one patient
and initially it did work but after several days the pt felt he needed to
tighten the dial more and more to achieve relief. Then he started
experiencing pain at the fib head area From the dial and no adjustment of
the positioning was helpful nor a new KO. The bowing of the device also was
a troublesome issue and finally it was abandoned for a Medi product which is
working well.
Reply 2. I rec'd an order for one from a rehab hospital; I called the
company and was told tht they don't sell to O and P companies but have the
sales reps do direct sales.
Reply 3. I have tried to fit somewhere between 15 to 20 of these knee braces
(all lateral joints to be unloaded) and have returned every brace except one
for a number of reasons. I have spoke with Mike at Bellacure on numerous
occasions and expressed my interest and my concerns. The first and foremost
problem is the amount of hand strength it takes to turn the dial to apply
pressure to unload the affected joint and anyone with arthritis or dexterity
issues in their hands cannot do this. If your patient does not have a
problem with either of the two issues then it is still difficult to turn
with the bare hand due to slippage because the dial has nothing to grip.
Bellacure's answer...use surgical gloves or purchase one of the rubber lid
openers you might see at the grocery store.
The second issue I have continuous problems with is the actual fit of the
material...not enough stretch. Let me clarify. When I purchase the
orthosis based on the size of the thigh and calf and the brace arrives...
almost always I have an issue getting the material to stretch enough to get
up on the calf and when I get it to fit the calf it is to large for the
thigh.
Price vs. reimbursement is an issue as well. There is only one billable
code (L1843) for this brace, unless you are willing to unbundle, and
Medicare allowable in our state is only about $200 more than the cost of the
brace. So, once you calculate allocated cost such as time, labor, billing,
etc.... you have made very little if anything and if you do not collect the
20% co-pay upfront you have undeniably lost money. There is no way I would
fit this brace to a patient who has one of the new Medicare HMO plans that
would be an instant loss.
The concept is great but there are to many bugs to be worked out. I have
spent enough in freight and return freight to have purchased a unit. Why do
I keep trying to make it work...I have seen no other brace on the market
that does a good job of unloading the lateral joint without destroying the
medial knee of the opposite leg and the one brace that is out there that
unloads a lateral joint with the upright on the lateral side is so bulky the
patients I have fitted it to do not like it.
Eric O'Guinn, CPO
Bellacure OA knee orthosis.
Reply 1. I attempted to use the device you are speaking about on one patient
and initially it did work but after several days the pt felt he needed to
tighten the dial more and more to achieve relief. Then he started
experiencing pain at the fib head area From the dial and no adjustment of
the positioning was helpful nor a new KO. The bowing of the device also was
a troublesome issue and finally it was abandoned for a Medi product which is
working well.
Reply 2. I rec'd an order for one from a rehab hospital; I called the
company and was told tht they don't sell to O and P companies but have the
sales reps do direct sales.
Reply 3. I have tried to fit somewhere between 15 to 20 of these knee braces
(all lateral joints to be unloaded) and have returned every brace except one
for a number of reasons. I have spoke with Mike at Bellacure on numerous
occasions and expressed my interest and my concerns. The first and foremost
problem is the amount of hand strength it takes to turn the dial to apply
pressure to unload the affected joint and anyone with arthritis or dexterity
issues in their hands cannot do this. If your patient does not have a
problem with either of the two issues then it is still difficult to turn
with the bare hand due to slippage because the dial has nothing to grip.
Bellacure's answer...use surgical gloves or purchase one of the rubber lid
openers you might see at the grocery store.
The second issue I have continuous problems with is the actual fit of the
material...not enough stretch. Let me clarify. When I purchase the
orthosis based on the size of the thigh and calf and the brace arrives...
almost always I have an issue getting the material to stretch enough to get
up on the calf and when I get it to fit the calf it is to large for the
thigh.
Price vs. reimbursement is an issue as well. There is only one billable
code (L1843) for this brace, unless you are willing to unbundle, and
Medicare allowable in our state is only about $200 more than the cost of the
brace. So, once you calculate allocated cost such as time, labor, billing,
etc.... you have made very little if anything and if you do not collect the
20% co-pay upfront you have undeniably lost money. There is no way I would
fit this brace to a patient who has one of the new Medicare HMO plans that
would be an instant loss.
The concept is great but there are to many bugs to be worked out. I have
spent enough in freight and return freight to have purchased a unit. Why do
I keep trying to make it work...I have seen no other brace on the market
that does a good job of unloading the lateral joint without destroying the
medial knee of the opposite leg and the one brace that is out there that
unloads a lateral joint with the upright on the lateral side is so bulky the
patients I have fitted it to do not like it.
Eric O'Guinn, CPO
Citation
Eric O'Guinn, CPO, “reply to the list,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed December 24, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/229235.
