News & Events
This was published in NR Times, the neurorehabilitation magazine covering brain and spinal injuries and neuro conditions from every angle. You can view the article on their website here, or read below.
STEPS rehabilitation recently had an opportunity to put Rewalk’s Restore system through its paces, as senior physiotherapist Jamie Story explains.
There is a drive for experienced clinicians to utilise their skills and available equipment to help our clients reach their goals. We are always looking at trialling and implementing systems into our practice that we feel will benefit our clients the most.
Recently, Stephen Ruffle from ReWalk Robotics spent the day at STEPS providing the team with a training session to outline and demonstrate the capabilities of the Restore system.
Stephen was very knowledgeable and passionate about the product and was able to answer all of our questions about the device.
The benefits and systems of the device are clearly stated online on the ReWalk website.
The Restore is relatively quick to set up, taking approximately 10 minutes. A therapy session at STEPS lasts for approximately an hour which would allow for up to 45 minutes of therapy time, taking into account removal of the equipment.
Current physiotherapeutic interventions require a lot of energy expenditure from staff as they have to be at floor level to help with the mechanics of the foot and ankle during the gait cycle.
When the device is in place it takes control of this for the therapists via a motorized unit attached to the pelvis and a series of straps and pulleys down the leg. This, when in active mode, allows plantarflexion
and dorsiflexion of the foot. The timing of the pulley system works from a sensor that is placed on the unaffected limb.
This allows the machine to co- ordinate both legs in a more functional gait pattern.
We use Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) devices to achieve similar results with the same client group.
The Restore device allows us to replicate the desired movement without the sensory stimulation that comes with the FES modality.
This is particularly important in clients who have sensory deficits or hypersensitivity through their legs, as a result of their injury, where FES would not
be suitable.
Another factor that makes this device unique is the propulsion it gives during the gait cycle, allowing for stronger and more consistent ‘toe off’.
This will allow clients to develop a more efficient and less energy consuming gait pattern. This is not something that you get with the passive systems and orthosis usually associated with such injuries.
The Restore is an excellent piece of equipment for clients who are not able to receive FES, and have a single lower limb deficiency.
Its use is specific to a particular problem and it is effective at tackling that therapeutic issue.
Here at STEPS, we will continue to liaise with ReWalk, when we feel that the device is the most appropriate option for our clients.
We are looking forward to adding this equipment to our therapy tool box, and providing our clients the opportunity to trial this exciting addition to gait re- education.
ReStore in a nutshell
The ReStore is a powered, lightweight soft exo-suit intended for use in the rehabilitation of persons with lower limb disability due to stroke.
Functional
Its design combines natural movements with plantarflexion and dorsiflexion assistance that adaptively synchronise with the patient’s own gait to facilitate functional gait training.
Individualised levels of assistance and compatibility with supplemental support aids ensure that ReStore has broad applications for patients across the gait rehabilitation spectrum.
Real-time feedback and adjustable levels of assistance enable the therapist to optimize sessions and track each patient’s progress.
Read more on www.rewalk.com.
