Walking Sticks Instructions for Use - EN
Intended use and indication
Our walking sticks are designed for people with light mobility impairment with impairment to movements, compromised balance with sufficiently intact walking ability and impaired coordination. They are used to maintain, promote and
stabilise walking or to partially relieve the strain on the lower limbs. The walking sticks can be used both indoors and outdoors. It is imperative that the safety instructions are also observed!
Contraindication
The use of walking sticks is unsuitable if there is a loss of limb in both arms or joint contractures/joint damage in both arms.
General safety information
Do not hang any bags, pouches or other objects on the walking stick! The walking stick may under no circumstances be used for any other purpose than that for
which it is intended, e.g. for lifting or moving objects or as a tool for switching light switches or pressing buttons on lifts! It is essential that the ground has a good
grip to ensure a secure hold of the walking stick! Avoid wet floors or surfaces such as gravel, sand, foliage, ice or snow! Pay attention to stumbling points such as
unevenness, holes in the floor, loose floor coverings or edges, because the walking stick can unexpectedly slip away or sink in! Extra caution is recommended when
lighting conditions are insufficient, since irregularities in the ground can then only be seen with difficulty! When adjusting the push-button, it must protrude from
the hole as far as it will go (Fig. 2)! The holes for adjusting the walking stick undergo a certain amount of wear. It is important to ensure that they are not worn out,
as this would prevent the push button from locking securely. When adjusting the clip, the plastic clip must have a positive fit when inserted (Fig. 1)! Prior to each
use, make sure that all screw connections are firmly tightened!
Adjusting the walking stick
Warning! Please contact your specialist dealer to ensure proper functional and ergonomic adjustment! Incorrectly adjusted walking sticks may restrict the functionality of the walking stick or lead to overloading or incorrect
loading of the patient! The walking stick is handed over to you as a patient in a proper condition, whereby it is individually adjusted to your body by your specialist dealer or health care specialist. If you have any doubts as to
whether this is the case, please contact the responsible specialist personnel. The walking stick can only offer you the relief you desire if it is optimally adapted to your body size. Adjustment: If your walking stick is fitted with a
union nut, this must be loosened by approx. half a turn anticlockwise prior to adjustment (Fig. 1). Unlock the height adjustment by pressing in the push button or pushing out the clip. Adjust the length of the walking stick to your body size
by pulling the support tubes out or pushing them together. Lock the height adjustment once again by aligning the tubes as such, that the two locking holes are on top of each other, whereby the push-button engages again. In case of clip
adjustment, reinsert the clip. Following adjustment, the union nut must be tightened again. Height-adjustable walking sticks can be shortened by max. 10 cm in the lower part. Non-adjustable walking sticks are shortened by individually
adjusting the support tube to your size using a metal saw or a tube cutter. Caution: Risk of falling due to walking sticks buckling when the height adjustment is not locked correctly! Check the correct locking after each adjustment by
attempting to twist or move the walking stick!
Use
There are many different ways to use the walking sticks and it all depends on the individual restrictions of the walking ability.
Seek instruction in the use of the walking stick from your specialist dealer or health care specialist! Walking sticks must not be
used in water. Any penetrating water can lead to corrosion forming and consequently to an increased risk of breakage. Avoid
prolonged contact of the walking stick with moisture. The walking stick must be dried appropriately when it comes into contact
with water. The correct handling of the walking stick takes some practice. We therefore recommend getting additional support
from an assistant at the beginning. Always use the walking stick on the side opposite the injured leg or the leg that needs to be
protected! Guide the walking stick close to the body, not at an angle facing outwards (Fig. 3)! You might fall otherwise! During
use, grasp the handle of the walking stick completely and firmly with your hand! Always place the walking stick as straight
as possible on the ground so that you do not slip away! Find chairs with armrests to sit on. You will then be able to support
yourself on the armrests when standing up! Wear shoes that are as comfortable as possible with flat soles so that your leg can
better withstand additional strain! If you do fall: If possible, let the walking stick fall to the side so that you do not fall onto
it! Have someone accompany and support you if possible, so that they can catch you if you fall! Try and arrange for qualified
personnel to instruct you in climbing stairs with a walking stick! When climbing stairs with a walking stick, it is important to hold
on to the railing using your free hand (Fig. 4)! When climbing stairs with two walking sticks, hold both walking sticks together
in one hand and make sure to hold on to the railing firmly using your free hand (Fig. 5)!
Precautionary measure
Using a walking stick places an unusual amount of strain on individual parts of the body! This may result in the following undesirable side effects: The hands may encounter pressure or chafing! Keep in mind that this can lead to pain and
overexertion at the beginning or during prolonged exertion! It is important to take sufficient breaks!
Storage and care
Never store the walking sticks in the vicinity of heat sources such as furnaces, heaters or in places susceptible to heat in a car! Do not expose walking sticks to sunlight for prolonged periods of time! Strong sun or heat damages the plastic!
Protect your walking sticks from toppling over and from damage to the paintwork (e.g. by using straps or holders). The rubber buffer is a wearing part and must be replaced at regular intervals. Walking sticks must only be used again after
an extended period of non-use following prior inspection by qualified personnel!
Warning! Never clean the handle and rubber cap using oily substances! There is a risk of slipping! In the event of contamination, clean the walking stick using a mild cleaning agent and a soft cloth where necessary. Never use cleaners
containing solvents, since these will damage the plastic! Note: Should disinfection be required, then a suitable disinfectant agent should be used. Please follow the manufacturer's instructions for use.
Limitation of use
The walking stick must only be subjected to loads in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Observe the maximum permissible body weight that is specified on the product! Please contact your specialist dealer in the case of
greater loads or in case of any doubts. A bent or damaged walking stick must not be used under any circumstances, since it can no longer offer the necessary stability! A bent walking stick must also not be straightened because of the risk
of breakage! Note: All serious incidents that occur in connection with the product must be reported to the manufacturer and the competent authority of the Member State in which the user and/or the patient is located.
Re-use (rental) / duration of use
We shall only accept liability pursuant to the Product Liability Act for the initial placing of our products on the market. We only consent to reuse if we have first inspected the product. The service life of the walking stick is limited to 2 years.
The user shall be responsible for the continued use of the walking stick after this time.
Warranty and liability
You have purchased a high-quality Ossenberg product. In the event of a justified material defect in spite of the highest quality standards, Ossenberg reserves the right, as part of a 12-month warranty, to either repair the defective item or
replace it with a defect-free follow-up delivery, at its own discretion. Please note that stricter legal regulations are applicable to our finished products, in particular custom-made products. We shall not be liable for any damage caused by
modifications to our products. The warranty does not cover defects attributable to wear and tear or improper handling. Wear parts are excluded from the warranty. Only original replacement parts and accessories must be used! Please
contact your specialist dealer for replacement parts, accessories and repairs.
Disposal
Please consult your specialist dealer about the regional disposal regulations.
Accessories
The approved accessories for your walking aid can be found at:
https://shop.ossenberg.com/en/downloads-to-the-product/
Symbol directory
Item number
Manufacture
Ossenberg GmbH
Phone
Fax
Kanalstraße 79
Internet
48432 Rheine
E-Mail
GERMANY
This is a product according to the guidelines of the Medical Devices Directive.
Furthermore the Ossenberg GmbH is certified according to DIN EN ISO 13485.
State 08.07.2021
Batch number
Distribution by
+49 (0) 59 71 - 9 80 46 0
+49 (0) 59 71 - 9 80 46 16
www.ossenberg.com
info@ossenberg.com
Read the operating
instructions
Date of manufacture
Fig. 1
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
This product complies with the
Attention
requirements of Regulation (EU)
2017/745 (MDR).
Permissible body
Medical device
weight
You can find the latest instructions for use at:
http://bilder.ossenberg.com/Dokumente/Downloads-zum-Artikel/
Gebrauchsanweisungen/PDF/Instructions-for-use-walking-sticks-EN.pdf
Fig. 2
Fig. 5
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