iWALKFree iWALK User manual
Fitting Instructions
Tailor the fit of your iWALKFREE
Now we will cover how to tailor the fit of your iWALKFREE.
Adjustments are quick and easy and require no tools –just be sure that
you have ordered the correct size!
Wearing for the first time
YOUR SAFETY IS OUR FIRST CONCERN, SO BEFORE
USING YOUR IWALKFREE, please do the following:
1. Read all instructions before starting the fitting process.
2. MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE COMPLETELY FAMILIAR
WITH THE VARIOUS ADJUSTMENTS. Before wearing
the iWALKFREE, practice adjusting the knee platform height
, adjusting and removing the thigh straps and setting the height
of the knee tray.Once you are familiar with them, you can try
on your iWALKFREE for the first time.
3. UNTIL YOU ARE PROFICIENT AT WEARING AND
USING YOUR IWALKFREE, SUPPORT YOURSELF
USING A HANDRAIL, PARALLEL BARS OR
SIMILAR. Good household substitutes include the back of a
sofa, a sturdy table or chair back, a guard rail or any other
stable, waist high or higher device that can support your
weight.
4. IMPORTANT –KEEP AS MUCH WEIGHT AS POSSIBLE
ON YOUR UNINJURED LEG WHEN PUTTING ON THE
IWALKFREE. TRY TO PUT AS LITTLE WEIGHT AS
POSSIBLE ON THE IWALKFREE UNTIL ALL THE
STRAPS ARE ON AND ADJUSTED.
”Supporting and
balancing yourself
with an external aid when
putting on
our iWALKFREE.
Set the Knee platform height
Sit in a chair with your knee bent at 90 degrees. Using your uninjured leg with shoe on, measure
the distance from the ground (just behind your heel) to the bottom of your thigh (back of your
knee –where your thigh meets your calf ). This measurement will be the initial height of the
iWALKFREE Knee platform (Figure 1-1). Note –you might fine tune the height after your first
few times walking on the iWALKFREE.
Figure 1-1 Initial height adjustment –knee platform is same height as back of leg.
After you have completed your adjustment, make sure that the locking pin is securely engaged in
the holes in the back of the beam and that the cam latch is closed. This will be the starting point
for the Knee platform height adjustment.
Strapping iWALKFREE to your leg
In the following set of instructions you will be strapping
the iWALKFREE to your injured leg and adjusting the
two thigh straps and the platform strap. Before
proceeding, remember to support yourself by keeping as
much of your weight as possible on your uninjured leg and
using a table, sofa, etc. for balance.
Platform (calf) Strap
Remove the three adjustment straps from their buckles
(platform strap and two thigh straps). Fig 2.1
Fig 2-1 Knee placed against the
beam, platform strap assembly
positioned as far back as possible
Slide the platform strap and buckle as far back as possible
on the knee platform. With most of you weight being
supported by your uninjured leg (this is important!), place
the shin of your injured leg onto the knee platform pad,
with your knee as far forward (toward the beam) as
possible. Slip the adjustment strap into the buckle and snug
the strap around your calf. If wearing a cast, you might
need to put the strap over your cast, or you can slide the
strap and buckle forward on the kKnee platform until the
strap assembly is clear of your cast. Fig 2.2
Fig 2.2 Snug the strap around
your calf.
Strap pad positioning
If the padding is not centered or touches the buckle, remove the crutch and slide the foam to
the correct position.
This also applies to the upper and lower thigh straps.
..
Fig 2.3.1 Correct placement
of stap pad
Fig 2.3.2
Correct
Fig 2.3.3
Correct
Make sure that the foam padding on the strap is centered on your calf (Fig 2.3.1-3). It's essential
that the foam pad does not interfere with the buckle. If the pad touches the buckle, you will not
be able to fully tighten the strap and stability will be significantly compromised
Lower thigh strap
The lower thigh strap serves two purposes A) It holds your lower thigh
firmly against the beam B) It holds the front of your calf firmly against
the knee platform and prevents your knee from lifting). To correctly fit
the lower thigh strap:
1. Position the lower (soft) thigh strap assembly so that it is just
above your knee. Fig 3.1
2. Insert the strap into the buckle and snug the strap, but do not
fully tighten yet.
3. Open the cam latch (at the front of the thigh saddle) and slide
the entire thigh strap assembly as low as you can. Close the
cam latch.
4. Fully tighten the adjustment strap around your lower thigh.
5. Check to make sure that the adjustment strap padding is
centered on your thigh and is not touching the buckle (see
Figure 2.3.1-3). If you need to change the position, remove the
adjustment strap from the buckle and slide the foam padding to
fig 3.1
the correct position. For people with smaller legs, it may be
necessary to trim the padding so that it does not contact the
buckle and inhibit the strap from being fully tightened. If you
have difficulty in moving the foam, reinstall the strap through
the buckle and tighten as in step 3 and 4 above.
Upper thigh strap
1. Position the upper (hard) thigh strap assembly so that it is near the top of your leg (at the
crotch). Fig. 4.1
2. Insert the strap into the buckle and snug the strap.
3. Open thecam latch (at the front of the thigh saddle) and slide the entire thigh strap
assembly as high as you can (into the crotch area). Close the cam latch.
4. Re-tighten the adjustment strap around your upper thigh. If the strap is uncomfortable in
your groin area, you can lower it slightly. Fig 4.2
5. Check to make sure that the adjustment strap padding is centered on your thigh and is not
touching the buckle (see Figure 2.3.1-3).If you need to change the position, remove the
adjustment strap from the buckle and slide the foam padding to the correct position. For
people with smaller legs, it may be necessary to trim the padding so that it does not
contact the buckle and inhibit the strap from being fully tightened. If you have difficulty
in moving the foam, reinstall the strap through the buckle and tighten.
Fig 4.1.1 Upper thigh strap
positioned as high on leg as
possible
Fig 4.1.2 Insert strap through
buckle and tighten strap
Fig 4.1.3 Final tightening, strap
secured
in the correct position
CORRECT
Upper thigh strap as high as possible
Lower thigh strap as low as possible
INCORRECT
Upper thigh strap too low
Lower thigh strap too high
Final tightening
Do a final tightening of all three straps. Get them as snug as you can without discomfort. Tip –
hold the buckle against your leg with one hand while you pull firmly on the strap with the other.
Fig 5.1 All three straps tightened and in the correct position
Testing 1-2-3
Now that you’ve successfully strapped the iWALKFREE to your leg, we can do a quick test to
see if you’ve properly adjusted the knee platform height.
While standing with most of your weight on your uninjured leg, you should be able to swing the
iWALKFREE front to back without the rubber tread (foot) hitting the ground. Note that it
should come very close to the ground without actually making contact. Figures 6.1 and 6.2
below show correct and incorrect knee platform height. Remember to use a handrail or similar
for stability until you get used to the device.
Fig 6.1 Knee platform too high –foot tread hits ground during leg swing
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