Fitting Instructions. Tailor the fit of your iwalkfree. Wearing for the first time. Set the Knee platform height

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Joanna Phelps
5 years ago
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1 Fitting Instructions Tailor the fit of your iwalkfree Now we will cover how to tailor the fit of your iwalkfree. Adjustments are quick and easy and require no tools just be sure that you have ordered the correct size! Wearing for the first time YOUR SAFETY IS OUR FIRST CONCERN, SO BEFORE USING YOUR IWALKFREE, please do the following: 1. Read all instructions before starting the fitting process. 2. MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE COMPLETELY FAMILIAR WITH THE VARIOUS ADJUSTMENTS. Before wearing the iwalkfree, practice adjusting the knee platform height, adjusting and removing the thigh straps and setting the height of the knee tray.once you are familiar with them, you can try Supporting and on your iwalkfree for the first time. balancing yourself 3. UNTIL YOU ARE PROFICIENT AT WEARING AND with an external aid when USING YOUR IWALKFREE, SUPPORT YOURSELF putting on USING A HANDRAIL, PARALLEL BARS OR our iwalkfree. SIMILAR. Good household substitutes include the back of a sofa, a sturdy table or chair back, a guard rail or any other stable, waist high or higher device that can support your weight. 4. IMPORTANT KEEP AS MUCH WEIGHT AS POSSIBLE ON YOUR UNINJURED LEG WHEN PUTTING ON THE IWALKFREE. TRY TO PUT AS LITTLE WEIGHT AS POSSIBLE ON THE IWALKFREE UNTIL ALL THE STRAPS ARE ON AND ADJUSTED. Set the Knee platform height Sit in a chair with your knee bent at 90 degrees. Using your uninjured leg with shoe on, measure the distance from the ground (just behind your heel) to the bottom of your thigh (back of your knee where your thigh meets your calf ). This measurement will be the initial height of the iwalkfree Knee platform (Figure 1-1). Note you might fine tune the height after your first few times walking on the iwalkfree.

This will be the starting point for the Knee platform height adjustment.

2 Figure 1-1 Initial height adjustment knee platform is same height as back of leg. After you have completed your adjustment, make sure that the locking pin is securely engaged in the holes in the back of the beam and that the cam latch is closed. This will be the starting point for the Knee platform height adjustment. Strapping iwalkfree to your leg In the following set of instructions you will be strapping the iwalkfree to your injured leg and adjusting the two thigh straps and the platform strap. Before proceeding, remember to support yourself by keeping as much of your weight as possible on your uninjured leg and using a table, sofa, etc. for balance. Platform (calf) Strap Remove the three adjustment straps from their buckles (platform strap and two thigh straps). Fig 2.1 Fig 2-1 Knee placed against the beam, platform strap assembly positioned as far back as possible

Slide the platform strap and buckle as far back as possible on the knee platform. With most of you weight being supported by your uninjured leg (this is important!

3 Slide the platform strap and buckle as far back as possible on the knee platform. With most of you weight being supported by your uninjured leg (this is important!), place the shin of your injured leg onto the knee platform pad, with your knee as far forward (toward the beam) as possible. Slip the adjustment strap into the buckle and snug the strap around your calf. If wearing a cast, you might need to put the strap over your cast, or you can slide the strap and buckle forward on the kknee platform until the strap assembly is clear of your cast. Fig 2.2 Fig 2.2 Snug the strap around your calf. Strap pad positioning

If the padding is not centered or touches the buckle, remove the crutch and slide the foam to the correct position. This also applies to the upper and lower thigh straps... Fig 2.

It's essential that the foam pad does not interfere with the buckle.

purposes A) It holds your lower thigh firmly against the beam B) It holds the front of your calf firmly against the knee platform and prevents your knee from lifting).

Insert the strap into the buckle and snug the strap, but do not fully tighten yet. 3.

4 If the padding is not centered or touches the buckle, remove the crutch and slide the foam to the correct position. This also applies to the upper and lower thigh straps... Fig Correct placement of stap pad Fig Correct Fig Correct Make sure that the foam padding on the strap is centered on your calf (Fig ). It's essential that the foam pad does not interfere with the buckle. If the pad touches the buckle, you will not be able to fully tighten the strap and stability will be significantly compromised Lower thigh strap The lower thigh strap serves two purposes A) It holds your lower thigh firmly against the beam B) It holds the front of your calf firmly against the knee platform and prevents your knee from lifting). To correctly fit the lower thigh strap: 1. Position the lower (soft) thigh strap assembly so that it is just above your knee. Fig Insert the strap into the buckle and snug the strap, but do not fully tighten yet. 3. Open the cam latch (at the front of the thigh saddle) and slide the entire thigh strap assembly as low as you can. Close the cam latch. 4. Fully tighten the adjustment strap around your lower thigh. 5. Check to make sure that the adjustment strap padding is centered on your thigh and is not touching the buckle (see Figure ). If you need to change the position, remove the adjustment strap from the buckle and slide the foam padding to fig 3.1

the correct position. For people with smaller legs, it may be necessary to trim the padding so that it does not contact the buckle and inhibit the strap from being fully tightened.

Position the upper (hard) thigh strap assembly so that it is near the top of your leg (at the crotch). Fig. 4.1 2. Insert the strap into the buckle and snug the strap. 3.

Re-tighten the adjustment strap around your upper thigh. If the strap is uncomfortable in your groin area, you can lower it slightly. Fig 4.2 5.

5 the correct position. For people with smaller legs, it may be necessary to trim the padding so that it does not contact the buckle and inhibit the strap from being fully tightened. If you have difficulty in moving the foam, reinstall the strap through the buckle and tighten as in step 3 and 4 above. Upper thigh strap 1. Position the upper (hard) thigh strap assembly so that it is near the top of your leg (at the crotch). Fig Insert the strap into the buckle and snug the strap. 3. Open thecam latch (at the front of the thigh saddle) and slide the entire thigh strap assembly as high as you can (into the crotch area). Close the cam latch. 4. Re-tighten the adjustment strap around your upper thigh. If the strap is uncomfortable in your groin area, you can lower it slightly. Fig Check to make sure that the adjustment strap padding is centered on your thigh and is not touching the buckle (see Figure ). If you need to change the position, remove the adjustment strap from the buckle and slide the foam padding to the correct position. For people with smaller legs, it may be necessary to trim the padding so that it does not contact the buckle and inhibit the strap from being fully tightened. If you have difficulty in moving the foam, reinstall the strap through the buckle and tighten. Fig Upper thigh strap positioned as high on leg as possible Fig Insert strap through buckle and tighten strap Fig Final tightening, strap secured in the correct position

6 Fig 4.2 CORRECT Upper thigh strap as high as possible Lower thigh strap as low as possible Fig 4.2 INCORRECT Upper thigh strap too low Lower thigh strap too high

final tightening of all three straps. Get them as snug as you can without discomfort.

7 CORRECT Upper thigh strap as high as possible Lower thigh strap as low as possible INCORRECT Upper thigh strap too low Lower thigh strap too high Final tightening Do a final tightening of all three straps. Get them as snug as you can without discomfort. Tip hold the buckle against your leg with one hand while you pull firmly on the strap with the other.

Now that you ve successfully strapped the iwalkfree to your leg, we can

should be able to swing the iwalkfree front to back without the rubber

Note that it should come very close to the ground without actually

8 Fig 5.1 All three straps tightened and in the correct position Testing Now that you ve successfully strapped the iwalkfree to your leg, we can do a quick test to see if you ve properly adjusted the knee platform height. While standing with most of your weight on your uninjured leg, you should be able to swing the iwalkfree front to back without the rubber tread (foot) hitting the ground. Note that it should come very close to the ground without actually making contact. Figures 6.1 and 6.2 below show correct and incorrect knee platform height. Remember to use a handrail or similar for stability until you get used to the device. Fig 6.1 Knee platform too high foot tread hits ground during leg swing

9 Fig 6.2 Correct knee platform height leg can freely swing though, tread just above ground at mid stride You re done! Congratulations! You ve completed the initial fitting of your iwalkfree.

Before you start! Is iwalk 2.0 right for you?

Before you start! Is iwalk 2.0 right for you? Physical Abilities Requirements 1. Stair Test Before your injury, could you easily walk up and down stairs at normal speed, without using the hand rail? 2.