Electronic Stance Control- ALL RESPONSES

Electronic Stance Control- ALL RESPONSES

Randy McFarland

2/11/2013

ORIGINAL POST

Hi Listmembers,

 I have a smaller lady with post polio and genu-recurvatum with valgus
deformity and a fused (triple arthrodesis) ankle. She's asking about an
electronically activated joint that will work with her locked ankle.

 Is there an electronic stance control KAFO that can handle the deformity
and work with no ankle motion? I know that the Horton joint can accommodate
both, but the patient says she would prefer electronic. Thank you! Randy
McFarland, CPO Fullerton, CA

 

RESPONSES

Sensorwalk from Otto bock

 

As your note presents, your candidate is as you say 'smaller'. Most all of
the electronic SCO's are quite large and bulky, (and you may want to check
as I believe the L-coding has been deleted for the electronic versions). The
Fillauer SPL-2 is a mechanical version SCO that can be utilized as a KO or
KAFO version and can be used with ANY style ankle with single or double
sidebar configurations. The joint has several standard features Manual
locking, Free motion (Stance control disabled) to use a bike or while
driving, a 15 degree security stop and automatic Stance control all
activated from the custom position able Satellite control unit.

Many SPL designs actually use a double sidebar to control the recurvatum
moment and then a single (lateral)ankle joint (in your case as you
described), double action locked in whatever position that accommodates her
ankle fusion.

Here is a link to the joint, functions and benefits;
< <URL Redacted>>
<URL Redacted>

I hope that I have offered a possible alternative for your patient
candidate. If you have further questions, let me know.

 

 Otto Bock has an electro-mechanical stance control joint. It is very bulky
though. One of my pt's was a Beta tester and loved it.

 

I'm a polio survivor with all the problems that you

have listed for this lady patient of yours. Just a suggestion from

someone who has walked in this lady's shoes for many years........I would

really think long and hard before trying to put some sort of electronic KAFO


on your patient that will Work for her with the type of deformity

you have listed here. I personally doubt if you will be able to fit

or accommodate her needs. I've worn KAFO's on both of my legs for

yearsand I fully understand your interest in doing the very best

for your patient but sometimes all of your good intentions could be heading

down the wrong road.

 

Otto Bock has a few stance control models that could work. Call Otto Bock's
professional services, they can help.

 

Look into the E-mag active from Otto Bock.

 

There are only three that I am aware of. E-MAG Active and Sensor Walk by
Ottobock and the E-Knee by Becker. All three will work without ankle
motion. The E-MAG is the smallest but has poor reimbursement. Both the
Sensor Walk and the E-Knee are large by comparison and only have L2999
designations by PDAC.

The E-MAG and E-Knee require no knee flexion moment at terminal stance to
unlock. The Sensor Walk does not.

The E-MAG requires full extension of the orthotic knee joint (5, 7.5, or 10
degrees flexion, depending on joint angle you order).

The E-Knee allows for the user to have knee flexion at Initial Contact and
will block knee flexion in 8 degree increments. The Sensor Walk allows the
same but at any angle of knee flexion.

 

I have seen all the stance control joints used on the market and I have used
a few myself (Except the new OttoBock Orthotronic Joint). It is my opinion
that the Becker UTX joint cannot be beaten. It is the most simple and
lightweight joint / system on the market. You can control recurvatum to a
certain degree. The best part is the ankle joint design and the manual
unlock is located on the proximal lateral side bar built into the hollow
tube. You dont have to bend over to unlock the knee joints nor do you the
practitioner have to attach an unlocking mechanism as you do in the SPL and
other knee joints. Its a super clean and light weight system. I have seen
problems with the electronic controls and at all cost I talk my patients out
of it and stick with simple mechanical joints. Best of luck to you!

 

I have seen all the stance control joints used on the market and I have used
a few myself (Except the new OttoBock Orthotronic Joint). It is my opinion
that the Becker UTX joint cannot be beaten. It is the most simple and
lightweight joint / system on the market. You can control recurvatum to a
certain degree. The best part is the ankle joint design and the manual
unlock is located on the proximal lateral side bar built into the hollow
tube. You dont have to bend over to unlock the knee joints nor do you the
practitioner have to attach an unlocking mechanism as you do in the SPL and
other knee joints. Its a super clean and light weight system. I have seen
problems with the electronic controls and at all cost I talk my patients out
of it and stick with simple mechanical joints. Best of luck to you!