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UTX.2018.01
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FOCUS POINTS FOR HANDLING THE UTX STABIL
Locking
Extend sufficiently. The knee joint should lock automatically in full extension.
Unlock
Start with unloading the knee by bringing it into extension, then press button, and while pressing, bend the knee.
TROUBLESHOOTING
If the UTX-SWING orthosis does not work properly, it is important to identify the origin of the problems. The problem may lie with the
orthosis, or with the user or in the combination of the user and the orthosis. If it appears that the orthosis does not work properly, contact
your orthotist. Furthermore consult your orthotist for changes to the fitting or adjustment of the hinges can be done in consultation. If the
orthosis does not work properly, the list below can be used to analyze the problem. If this does not lead to a solution, please contact your
orthotist or Ambroise.
SITUATION 1: The knee hinge does not unlock
Reason 1:
There is no or insufficient dorsal flexion of the ankle joint at the end of the stance phase.
•
Lifting the foot too early at the end of the stance phase. Train to keep the heel on the floor longer and to (mildly) bend the knee before
lifting the foot of the ground will offer a solution.
•
An incorrect alignment angle of the ankle stirrup. Contact Ambroise or your orthotist to adjust the ankle angle.
•
Play on the ankle hinge (The ankle stirrup is not tightened properly). Contact Ambroise or the orthotist to lock the ankle bolt.
•
Excessive knee extension with small steps. Stretching the knee when the foot is on the floor always results in a smaller dorsal flexion
angle. In a small step, this may lead to insufficient remaining dorsal flexion causing the knee hinge to not unlock (see Figure 6). The user
must practice taking bigger steps.
Reason 2:
There is no or insufficient knee extension at the end of the stance phace.
•
Stretching the knee at the wrong moment.
•
Despite a present hyperextension, there is no extension at the end of the stance phase, possibly because the orthosis is aligned too
much in flexion.
•
The user makes too big a step which increases the bending load on the knee hinge (see Figure 7). This makes it harder for the hip and
knee muscles to stretch the knee. Smaller steps need to be taken.
•
The leg is locked to the maximum anatomical limit. To unlock the knee hinge, the knee must be pushed slightly more in extension. If
the leg is already at its anatomical limit, further stretching is difficult. The orthosis must then be aligned more in flexion. Contact your
orthotist for this.
SITUATION 2: The knee hinge unlocks too early
If early in the stance phase there is a partial or complete dorsal flexion of the ankle joint, this is caused by an incorrect alignment of the ankle
stirrup to the ankle hinge. This can be checked by looking in the knee hinge from the back and see when the ratchet is pulled downwards.
Contact your orthotist so that the alignment can be changed.
SITUATION 3: The knee hinge does not lock
Reason 1: Incorrect ankle-alignment
A misalignment of the ankle stirrup that leads to full dorsal flexion even at the start of stance prevents locking of the knee. Contact your
orthotist so that the alignment can be changed.
Oorzaak 2: The knee is required to extend beyond it’s anatomical limits
To lock the knee joint, the leg needs to sufficiently extend. If sufficient extension means strechting beyond the anatomical limist. This will not
occur during swing. The orthosis needs to be aligned in more flexion. Contact your orthotist.
