Pierenkemper PIERENSTEP, Operating Manual

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User Instructions - PIERENSTEP
Some background knowledge
To promote the healing process, for example following
an accident or orthopaedic surgery, it can be expedient
to subject the relevant extremity as soon as possible
to a degree of weight bearing – but not the whole
weight. Weight bearing is especially important where
the healing of bones is involved because the pressure
of the body weight stimulates the growth of bones.
Total protection is not therefore desirable and nor is
full weight bearing because this would represent too
great a strain. It is for this reason that physicians and
therapists prefer to prescribe the exercise of partial
weight bearing activities. With the help of underarm
crutches the patient learns just how much weight should
be exerted on the leg or foot which is beneficial for the
healing process. At the same time he or she should be
mindful of the need to walk properly in order to provide
optimum support for the healing process. This is not
as easy as it appears at first glance. How much weight
is sufficient and how much is too much ? Subjective
impressions in this respect are not particularly reliable.
It is for these reasons that the measuring system for the
PIERENSTEP crutches has been designed. The system
displays precisely how much weight is being exerted
on the leg. If the weight level is too great or too small,
the user receives an alarm in the form of an acoustic
or vibration signal. In this manner the feeling for the
correct level of weight bearing is easily acquired and the
patient can concentrate on walking correctly.
Important: The proper function of the PIERENSTEP
crutches and measuring process is dependent on the
clear differentiation between the left-hand and the
right-hand crutch. The right-hand crutch is identified by
a blue handle piece (2) and a sticker showing „right”.
The left-hand crutch is identified by a green handle
piece and a sticker showing „left”. Please take care not
to interchange the two crutches.