Your patient can walk smoothly and stand securely with the Free Walk system. This special Otto Bock orthosis system locks the knee joint during the stance phase and automatically releases it for the swing phase.
Doctors & TherapistsSupportive Bracing and Soft OrthosesOrthoses for Paralyses Knee / Ankle / Foot
Walk smoothly and stand securely with the Free Walk system. This special Otto Bock orthosis system locks the knee joint during the stance phase and is automatically released for the swing phase. Patients can bend their leg and thus require less energy when walking. This orthosis reduces stress on the back, hips and knee joint. Unlike traditional orthoses, the Free Walk effectively reduces unnatural movements caused by hyperextension of the joint along with compensatory of the gluteal muscles. Secondary damage such as ligament instabilities and arthrosis pain are prevented.
The Free Walk was developed for patients who, due to a partial paralysis or a complete failure of the knee extensors, are unable to stabilize their knee without compensatory measures. Our innovative design creates a more natural gait cycle by locking during stance phase and unlocking during swing phase. The automatic lock is initiated by knee extension, and is only released to swing freely when a knee extension moment and dorsiflexion occur simultaneously during terminal stance. The result is a more secure, efficient gait that also reduces the incidence of typical gait compensations.
This allows your customer to flex the leg and let it swing through freely. Non-physiological movements, which are associated with hyperextension of the joint through the compensatory use of the gluteus muscles in the use of conventional orthoses, are effectively reduced. Subsequent damages such as ligament instability and arthrosis complaints are therefore minimized. The Free Walk orthosis also relieves the back, hips, and knee joint. It provides your customer with security, stability, greater mobility as well as a largely normal gait.
The Free Walk also offers many therapeutic benefits for paralyzed patients. It prevents contractures and immobilization-related joint damage and reduces muscular atrophy. Cardiovascular efficiency is retained for daily activities. In the case of diseases affecting the central nervous system, Free Walk also stimulates unaffected areas of the brain to take over functions such as motor relearning and cortical reorganization. In this way, the Free Walk orthosis helps the patient (re)integrate both socially and professionally. Studies continue to show that the Free Walk orthosis offers considerable advantages over locked orthoses with regard to energy expenditure, walking speed and reduction of stress on the contralateral side.
In addition, the unilateral joint bar design offers users increased comfort. Individual fabrication ensures optimal fit. The Free Walk is lightweight, thin, and stable so that it is inconspicuous under clothing. Thanks to the practical quick closures, your customer can put it on and take it off easily. The pads are made from skin-friendly material and are easy to clean. Especially convenient: your patient can sit comfortably because the pad retainers are located in the front. In addition, the locked knee joint can easily be unlocked by hand.
The Free Walk orthosis is only recommended if the patient can almost completely extend his or her knee joint before striking the ground with the heel. This movement causes the orthosis system to lock. The muscle strength of the knee extensor (quadriceps) assist or the hip flexor (iliopsoas) assist for the fitted leg should be at least strength level 3. Alternatively, a compensating movement of the hip can be sufficient to swing the leg and orthosis into an extended position.
The patient must also be able to extend the knee joint before pushing off with the foot to allow for a dorsal extension of the upper ankle joint. In this way, the orthosis system automatically locks for the swing phase, and the patient can bend his or her knee. In this case, the muscle strength of the knee or hip extensor assist for the fitted leg should be at least strength level 3. In addition, the upper ankle joint must permit a dorsal extension of at least ten degrees.
Only patients not suffering from uncontrollable spasms may be fitted with the Free Walk orthosis. Varus and/or valgus axis deviations in the region of the knee or upper ankle joint should not exceed ten degrees.
Patients with one leg up to seven centimeters (2.75 inches) shorter than the other can use the Free Walk to compensate for this difference. Once again, patients must meet the requirements described above in order to be fitted with this orthosis.
