Now that Jessie has had some time to practice with the Walk Aid, electrical stimulation walking device, she is getting better. Notice that she is not wearing an AFO, and notice the dorsiflexion (sp?) that she is getting without an AFO to hold her foot up. This is all done throught he little device that she is wearing below her knee. It also appears to be reducing the hyper-extension of her left knee.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Walk Aid - Lose the AFO
http://www.hemifoundation.org
Here is a device that we are in trial now with Jessie. I'm not sure if is going to be a good device or not, but the concept is fascinating. It is called "Walk Aid" and is by Innovative Neurotronics. We are going to be doing a trial on it for 2 or 3 weeks and then buy one if it appears to be doing any good.
The way it works, is a little cuff fits around the leg, just below the knee. It send s a small electrical pulse to the nerve, that in turn triggers the muscle to cause the foot to dorsiflex. Because of this action, an AFO is not needed. In theory. The other really cool thing, is that it is supposed to teach the brain how to do this...not just do the work. I tend to be very skeptical about devices like this, but we're keeping an open mind, and I'll be sure to report back.
One downside, is that this puppy runs about $4,500, and we're not sure whether insurance will pay or not. If I knew for sure that it would work, no problem with the money, but when you think that it may just be another product praying on the hopefullness of parents of a child with a brain injury...well then the price tag is a bit harder to digest. I feel certain that we will buy it regardless.
You can watch a demo video here from their website. http://www.walkaide.com/
Or watch Jessie below. Notice carefully that it is indeed causing her to dorsiflex. She is walking rather funny here, but she is just getting used to it. She doesn't walk like this all the time when she is wearing it.
Here is a device that we are in trial now with Jessie. I'm not sure if is going to be a good device or not, but the concept is fascinating. It is called "Walk Aid" and is by Innovative Neurotronics. We are going to be doing a trial on it for 2 or 3 weeks and then buy one if it appears to be doing any good.
The way it works, is a little cuff fits around the leg, just below the knee. It send s a small electrical pulse to the nerve, that in turn triggers the muscle to cause the foot to dorsiflex. Because of this action, an AFO is not needed. In theory. The other really cool thing, is that it is supposed to teach the brain how to do this...not just do the work. I tend to be very skeptical about devices like this, but we're keeping an open mind, and I'll be sure to report back.
One downside, is that this puppy runs about $4,500, and we're not sure whether insurance will pay or not. If I knew for sure that it would work, no problem with the money, but when you think that it may just be another product praying on the hopefullness of parents of a child with a brain injury...well then the price tag is a bit harder to digest. I feel certain that we will buy it regardless.
You can watch a demo video here from their website. http://www.walkaide.com/
Or watch Jessie below. Notice carefully that it is indeed causing her to dorsiflex. She is walking rather funny here, but she is just getting used to it. She doesn't walk like this all the time when she is wearing it.
Jessie Learning how to stop on her bike
Here is a nice video of Jessie learning how to stop on her bike. Now and then she leans the other direction and falls over, but she is getting better and better at stopping and learning to her strong side.
Now if we can just teach her to get started by herself. That will most likely take a few months. Hopefully before Christmas.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Bike Alterations for a Hemi Kid
Some of you have asked about Jessie's bike, and what alterations that we made to it. So I've included below a little bit about her bike and how we changed it.
Bike : Electra Townie - 20 inch. It's pedals are move slightly forward. They call this a flat-foot design, and allows the child to be fairly flat-footed and still sit on the seat.
Toe Clip on left side - This helps to hold the affected foot on the pedal, and they can still get out of it if needed. These can be purchased at any bike shop, but will need a special pedal for mounting. (also sold at bike shop)
Velcro on handlebar on affected side. The rough side of the velcro.
The softs side of the velcro should be sewed on to a riding glove.
Just a regular riding glove. Or, I guess that you could use any glove. Some people do not agree with afixing a childs hand to the bike, but what we found, is that Jessie canot control the bike if one hand comes off. Her foot can fall off and she can maintain stability, but once the hand come off, there will be a wreck. Hopefully, she will overcome that eventually and we will not have to use these type of alterations.
Here is a picture. She can actually rip the glove off the handlebar if she tries really hard.
We also use a push-bar in the back, and run behind her on all rides. We'll do this, until she has much more control. I don't know how long that will be. But you can bet, I'll let you know.
Bike : Electra Townie - 20 inch. It's pedals are move slightly forward. They call this a flat-foot design, and allows the child to be fairly flat-footed and still sit on the seat.
Toe Clip on left side - This helps to hold the affected foot on the pedal, and they can still get out of it if needed. These can be purchased at any bike shop, but will need a special pedal for mounting. (also sold at bike shop)
Velcro on handlebar on affected side. The rough side of the velcro.
The softs side of the velcro should be sewed on to a riding glove.
Just a regular riding glove. Or, I guess that you could use any glove. Some people do not agree with afixing a childs hand to the bike, but what we found, is that Jessie canot control the bike if one hand comes off. Her foot can fall off and she can maintain stability, but once the hand come off, there will be a wreck. Hopefully, she will overcome that eventually and we will not have to use these type of alterations.
Here is a picture. She can actually rip the glove off the handlebar if she tries really hard.
We also use a push-bar in the back, and run behind her on all rides. We'll do this, until she has much more control. I don't know how long that will be. But you can bet, I'll let you know.
Have a blessed weekend.
Cris
Hope in One Hemisphere!
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