Please let me clarify what I'm looking for in a weight bearing monitor--
I want something that will move as the patient moves, so we can get feedback
throughout their 5, 50, or 100 feet of ambulation, each step, especially as
they get tired. Fingers, toes, or a scale under the patient's foot can be
done for a step or a few, but not for any significant distance. I don't know
how many times my patients have minimized weight when my hand is under their
foot, but then go FWB once my hand is out.
Something with minimal height, because I feel that the patient may be able to
keep weight limited easier when their hip and knee is flexed more, but then
resume too much weight bearing once their leg is in a more "normal" position.
Training in one condition, then trying to carry it over to another condition
is difficult for some patients.
Something with auditory, perhaps visual though many of my patients have visual
deficits, feedback to the patient. Being told "don't make it beep" may be
more effective, objective, and easier for the patient to understand than "you
put too much weight on your foot, again, again, again, and again." I've
thought about using a squeaky toy, but am concerned about the height, as
mentioned above.
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