Responses C-Leg vs Rheo
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Collection
Title:
Responses C-Leg vs Rheo
Text:
Thank you to all that responded.
Original post:
I am interested in unbiased opinions regarding differences between the
> C-leg and the Rheo knee. For those of you who have experience with both
of
> these knees, your opinion is especially appreciated. I understand that
the
> Rheo 2 is coming out within the next few weeks. Is one superior to the
> other? Is one better for a certain type of patient? Are there any
studies
> comparing these products? I will post responses without your names
attached.
> Thank You,
> David Falk, LPO, CPO
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
The C-Leg is superior to the Reho.
However if your looking at these and going to compare, then you seriously
need to look at Freedoms Plie knee. It is superior to both. Several
patients existing on cleg have trialed it when up for renewal and have chosen it
over the c-leg. It process much faster and has a smoother transition to
swing. The c-leg feels like it sticks just before swing. is a common
statement. it is also more robust and can handle getting splashed.
regards
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
I am an amp and have worn both knees, although i only wore the Rheo for an
8 hour day. i loved the rheo, once i got used to it, (took about 30
mins.) the only way that i can describe it is that you walk more like you did
with 2 legs in the rheo. with the cleg your gait although is good, there
always seems to be that 1 or 2 funny steps when you try to sudenly move
faster. the going down steps in the cleg there is a learning technique.you
have to kind of lean into the back of your socket. Just a little awkward to
learn as a new amp, but with the rheo you just go down like you would if
you had 2 legs. , that is all i can say about the differnces, i would
choose Rheo over Cleg if it was a possibility for me. the down side to the
Rheo is it is ugly. but if youcan get someone in it, they really shouldn't
care. I know that i don't.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
David,
I have fitted both and I feel there are different reasons to use one knee
versus the other. From a practitioner standpoint, the Rheo is very easy
and quick to setup. The first knee you fit comes with a PDA with their
software and you basically hook it up to the knee and run setup mode while the
patient starts walking. This setup mode run for a certain number of steps
and finds their typical gait pattern and you go from there. The C-leg is
more involved as there are more settings to adjust so that intial setup
appointment takes longer.
From a patient standpoint, I would say the Rheo is for someone with more
voluntary control. The Rheo fluid seems more fluid during gait but might be
slightly heavier than the C-leg (I don't remember the exact weight). I
think the C-leg is more computer-driven while the Rheo is more
patient-driven. However, you can use any type of foot with the Rheo while you're tied to
the Otto Bock feet when using the C-leg (in theory, I KNOW people use
other feet). Both have comparable warrenty programs but it's been my
experience that it takes longer for the Rheo to get serviced because they send it to
Iceland. Although I've not have a long wait when asking for a loaner
unit, while with the C-leg there have been some long waits (I think this is
probably due to the fact there are more in use/in the market that are
starting to need service).
That being said, I think both knees are of high quality and sometimes it
just comes down to what type of foot the patient is looking for and their
control
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
My understanding is that the Rheo turns into a free swinging hinge when
the battery is dead which that in it of itself is a deal breaker for me. I
use the C-Leg/Compact exclusively on my MPK fittings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------
At present, I would describe the C-Leg as more stable, having swing and
stance control. The Rheo has swing control only.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Dave,
I have had only one patient try a Rheo and he was a previous C-Leg wearer.
He thought the Rheo would be a bit better because getting into a vehicle
is a bit difficult he has to release it before entering the car. After he
had it for almost a year he still preferred to use his C-Leg. The two biggest
problems were that the Rheo flexes until weight is applied to the knee in
the stance mode. If a patient has been use to using a hydraulic knee in
past, they have to learn that when the knee has weight applied it will stiffen
up. That was the biggest obstacle. The other problem was that the knee was
heavier by about a pound and it bent different than the C-Leg. I think
that if someone was to get use to it from the beginning the Rheo would be a
good choice, but there are advantages and disadvantages to both, you just
have to determine that with a good patient evaluation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
The weight of the RHEO makes it a great boat anchor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I have provided both and consistently find the c-leg to be the safest knee
unit with regards to the knee buckling. If the unit fails it goes into
safe mode with the knee in high resistance to knee flexion whereas the rheo
does not. The second mode feature is nice for specific tasks such as
longstanding, bicycling etc. The Rheo is nice for it's low resistance to knee
flexion/extension for your aggressive walkers who need that foot out there
extremely fast.They are similar as far as stairs and ramps. Just my
experiences. I am looking forward to hearing other responses.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Dave,
You may want to contact Kenton Kaufman, PhD at Mayo Clinic. He is a
researcher who is doing a study on stumble recovery and comparing various
microprocessor controlled knees, including the C-leg and Rheo. He has presented
this information at the past Academy meeting in Atlanta. I am uncertain
whether or not this data is yet published.
**************It's raining cats and dogs -- Come to PawNation, a place
where pets rule! ( <URL Redacted>)
Original post:
I am interested in unbiased opinions regarding differences between the
> C-leg and the Rheo knee. For those of you who have experience with both
of
> these knees, your opinion is especially appreciated. I understand that
the
> Rheo 2 is coming out within the next few weeks. Is one superior to the
> other? Is one better for a certain type of patient? Are there any
studies
> comparing these products? I will post responses without your names
attached.
> Thank You,
> David Falk, LPO, CPO
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
The C-Leg is superior to the Reho.
However if your looking at these and going to compare, then you seriously
need to look at Freedoms Plie knee. It is superior to both. Several
patients existing on cleg have trialed it when up for renewal and have chosen it
over the c-leg. It process much faster and has a smoother transition to
swing. The c-leg feels like it sticks just before swing. is a common
statement. it is also more robust and can handle getting splashed.
regards
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
I am an amp and have worn both knees, although i only wore the Rheo for an
8 hour day. i loved the rheo, once i got used to it, (took about 30
mins.) the only way that i can describe it is that you walk more like you did
with 2 legs in the rheo. with the cleg your gait although is good, there
always seems to be that 1 or 2 funny steps when you try to sudenly move
faster. the going down steps in the cleg there is a learning technique.you
have to kind of lean into the back of your socket. Just a little awkward to
learn as a new amp, but with the rheo you just go down like you would if
you had 2 legs. , that is all i can say about the differnces, i would
choose Rheo over Cleg if it was a possibility for me. the down side to the
Rheo is it is ugly. but if youcan get someone in it, they really shouldn't
care. I know that i don't.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
David,
I have fitted both and I feel there are different reasons to use one knee
versus the other. From a practitioner standpoint, the Rheo is very easy
and quick to setup. The first knee you fit comes with a PDA with their
software and you basically hook it up to the knee and run setup mode while the
patient starts walking. This setup mode run for a certain number of steps
and finds their typical gait pattern and you go from there. The C-leg is
more involved as there are more settings to adjust so that intial setup
appointment takes longer.
From a patient standpoint, I would say the Rheo is for someone with more
voluntary control. The Rheo fluid seems more fluid during gait but might be
slightly heavier than the C-leg (I don't remember the exact weight). I
think the C-leg is more computer-driven while the Rheo is more
patient-driven. However, you can use any type of foot with the Rheo while you're tied to
the Otto Bock feet when using the C-leg (in theory, I KNOW people use
other feet). Both have comparable warrenty programs but it's been my
experience that it takes longer for the Rheo to get serviced because they send it to
Iceland. Although I've not have a long wait when asking for a loaner
unit, while with the C-leg there have been some long waits (I think this is
probably due to the fact there are more in use/in the market that are
starting to need service).
That being said, I think both knees are of high quality and sometimes it
just comes down to what type of foot the patient is looking for and their
control
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
My understanding is that the Rheo turns into a free swinging hinge when
the battery is dead which that in it of itself is a deal breaker for me. I
use the C-Leg/Compact exclusively on my MPK fittings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------
At present, I would describe the C-Leg as more stable, having swing and
stance control. The Rheo has swing control only.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Dave,
I have had only one patient try a Rheo and he was a previous C-Leg wearer.
He thought the Rheo would be a bit better because getting into a vehicle
is a bit difficult he has to release it before entering the car. After he
had it for almost a year he still preferred to use his C-Leg. The two biggest
problems were that the Rheo flexes until weight is applied to the knee in
the stance mode. If a patient has been use to using a hydraulic knee in
past, they have to learn that when the knee has weight applied it will stiffen
up. That was the biggest obstacle. The other problem was that the knee was
heavier by about a pound and it bent different than the C-Leg. I think
that if someone was to get use to it from the beginning the Rheo would be a
good choice, but there are advantages and disadvantages to both, you just
have to determine that with a good patient evaluation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
The weight of the RHEO makes it a great boat anchor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I have provided both and consistently find the c-leg to be the safest knee
unit with regards to the knee buckling. If the unit fails it goes into
safe mode with the knee in high resistance to knee flexion whereas the rheo
does not. The second mode feature is nice for specific tasks such as
longstanding, bicycling etc. The Rheo is nice for it's low resistance to knee
flexion/extension for your aggressive walkers who need that foot out there
extremely fast.They are similar as far as stairs and ramps. Just my
experiences. I am looking forward to hearing other responses.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Dave,
You may want to contact Kenton Kaufman, PhD at Mayo Clinic. He is a
researcher who is doing a study on stumble recovery and comparing various
microprocessor controlled knees, including the C-leg and Rheo. He has presented
this information at the past Academy meeting in Atlanta. I am uncertain
whether or not this data is yet published.
**************It's raining cats and dogs -- Come to PawNation, a place
where pets rule! ( <URL Redacted>)
Citation
“Responses C-Leg vs Rheo,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/230422.
