Where is ACA ? Negotiated Rule Making Committee

[Tom McCain]

Hello Al,

Actually I'm getting a C-leg through Hanger with a Comfortflex socket that
allows for maintaining and building up muscle in my stump where fully
enclosed sockets tend to prevent flexion of muscle and lead to more atrophy.

I don't know what an S-N-S knee is so I'll try to tell you the advantages
over most hydraulic knees.  As you probably know the C-leg is fully
programable for both swing and stance control utilizing multiple sensors in
the foot and knee to measure swing and stance ange as well as heel and toe
contact. Through the correct algorithm (program), the hydraulic system
damping is adjusted through servos that vary swing rate as well as the
amount of force encountered as you put weight on your foot. You may
effectively lock your stance at any angle that is programmed. Measurements
are taken every 20 milliseconds (50 times a second) to insure the most rapid
response to variable dampening as you walk.

Currently you may program the knee to two different programs (or modes) but
soon multimode programming will be enabled to allow much diversity in sports
and other activities. I'm not a golfer but I can see how programming a knee
for a golf swing would be great or bowling or bicycling or tennis and the
list goes on.

Tests have shown that the amounts of both energy and oxygen used in walking
with a C-leg is less than alternative quality hydraulic knees but the main
thing overall is that it takes a great deal of effort out of walking without
having to think through each step because the knee is programmed to your
individual gate. 

That is as much as I know and it's sold me for what I'm looking for as an
everyday leg ( I'll have the waterproof hydraulic for water sports and
backup). I think Susanna probably has a lot more to offer than I with her
experience with other hydraulic legs as well as the C-leg and she could pass
on more details.

I hope something here was helpful.

Tom
Vancouver

-------Original Message-------

From: amp-l at u.washington.edu
Date: Wednesday, March 27, 2002 04:39:05 PM
To: Amputee Information Network
Subject: Re: Where is ACA ? Negotiated Rule Making Committee

In a message dated 3/27/2002 2:18:52 PM Central Standard Time,
peachesvan3377 at attbi.com writes:



Just recently, in Spokane, WA , Medicare copayed for an Otto Bock C-leg. I
thought that was a breakthrough for amputees and would put more pressure on
the insurance companies. I'm sorry to hear about the lady in Charlotte but
all is not lost. As they say - "You win some and you lose some". Let's not
give up.
Tom


Hi Tom,

I know that you are interested in getting the new C-Leg from Otto Bock so
may I ask what do you feel the C-Leg will do for you or allow you to do over
and above an S-N-S knee system?

Thanks.

Al
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