Bethesda, MD – Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics today announced the launch of WalkAccess, a home assessment program for its neuromuscular device called the WalkAide System. An award-winning functional electrical stimulation technology, the WalkAide restores mobility to those suffering from a form of paralysis known as “foot drop” caused by multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, and incomplete spinal cord injury.
“We understand that for people with chronic medical conditions navigating the myriad of new treatment protocols and techniques can be a complex and arduous process,” President of Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics Rick Taylor said. “That’s why Hanger created WalkAccess, a program that further empowers our patients to make informed decisions about their treatment of foot drop.”
The WalkAccess home assessment program offers patients considering the WalkAide the opportunity to try the device for two weeks in their home and everyday environments for a fraction of the cost of purchasing the device outright. While patients still receive a free in-person clinical evaluation, they also have the option of purchasing a home assessment trial.
44-year-old Eric Wallace from Sacramento, California was diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis 12 years ago. Since his diagnosis, the weakness in his legs increased and his personal mobility declined, making it difficult for him to keep up with the active lives of his wife and three children, as well as the demands of his career as an X-ray technologist. When researching options for combating foot drop, Wallace was hesitant to invest in a device or treatment protocol without personally experiencing its effectiveness at home, at work, and at play.
“During the two-week trial, I wore the WalkAide to work and, at the end of the day, I clearly noticed I wasn’t as tired, I was walking better, and I didn’t stumble. I also used it to walk places with my family. I rode my bike and shot hoops with it,” Wallace said. “At the end of the two weeks, I just knew the WalkAide was for me.”
Those interested in trying the WalkAide through the WalkAccess home assessment program can do so through Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics’ nationwide network of 670+ patient care centers. To learn more and to locate the nearest participating patient care center, visit www.hanger.com/walkaide or call 1-877-4-HANGER.
About the WalkAide – An intelligent functional electrical stimulation (FES) system, the WalkAide restores mobility to people who suffer from a form of lower leg paralysis known as foot drop due to stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, and incomplete spinal cord injury. About the size of an iPod and worn around the calf just below the knee, the WalkAide applies low level electrical currents directly to the peroneal nerve (i.e. the motor nerve that controls the movement of the ankle and foot) and instruct the muscles to flex the foot at the appropriate time in the gait cycle. The new BiFlex Cuff, launched in February 2010, helps to ensure precise placement of electrodes resulting in a more consistent and accurate delivery of electrical impulses and easily reproducible clinical outcomes at home.
About Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics – With 670+ patient care centers nationwide, the certified clinicians of Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics provide patients with the latest in orthotic and prosthetic solutions, including microprocessor devices for those with limb loss and neuromuscular technologies for those with paralysis due to stroke, MS and other debilitating conditions. For more information, visit www.hanger.com.
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Press contacts:
Jennifer Bittner, Hanger Orthopedic Group
904-249-4210, jbittner@hanger.com
Krisita Burket, Hanger Orthopedic Group
904-249-0314, kburket@hanger.com
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