Otto Bock C-Brace Instructions For Use Manual page 65

Preliminary adjustment:
For verification, the patient should sit down on a chair while supporting him or herself with the hands on the arm­
rests. The patient lets him or herself sink into the product and feels the supporting effect of stance phase damping
(STP Flexion Damping).
Fine adjustment:
Have the patient walk down a ramp and then stairs, keeping one hand on the handrail for safety. If the resistance is
too low or too high, it can be adjusted accordingly.
The goal is to find a good compromise setting that permits sitting down in comfort and also walking on ramps and
stairs safely.
STP Flexion Damping Plus (only in expert mode)
CAUTION
Walking down stairs and ramps
Falling due to unexpected, increased stance phase damping during the transition from a level surface to stairs or
ramps.
► Inform the patient of the changed product behaviour.
► Inform the patient that changed stance phase damping has to be verified before walking on stairs or ramps.
INFORMATION
The value selected for elevated flexion resistance (STP Flexion Damping Plus) cannot be lower than the value
selected for stance phase damping (STP Flexion Damping). Upon attempting to enter a lower value, this value is
automatically set to the value of the parameter STP Flexion Damping.
For some patients, the optimum stance phase flexion damping setting (STP Flexion Damping) may be too low for
walking on level ground. This is why the parameter 'STP Flexion Damping Plus' is available in expert mode.
During physiological walking, slight flexion in the knee joint follows shortly after heel strike with the knee extended.
This movement pattern is called "stance phase flexion".
Due to muscular deficits and/or contractures in the knee or hip joint, some patients flex the knee excessively in this
gait phase. As a result, more energy needs to be expended for the renewed extension of the knee joint with simul­
taneous forefoot load.
With the parameter 'STP Flexion Damping Plus', increased stance phase damping can be configured which is only
active following a swing phase while walking on level ground and only for a short, adjustable period of time. (Para­
meter 'STP flexion plus time [*20ms]')
It is activated at the time of swing phase extension, shortly before the leg is fully extended. After the time 'STP flex­
ion plus time [*20ms]' has elapsed, the system switches back to normal stance phase damping.
Adjustment:
Have the patient walk on level ground and observe the stance phase flexion. If the patient flexes the knee very far,
the parameter 'STP Flexion Damping Plus' should be set to a higher value.
C-Brace
Adjustment with C-Soft
65