Prosthetists
Out-Performing Existing Technology
- Covered under existing reimbursement codes.
- Ease of fitting allows prosthetists to spend less time with each patient and to see more patients overall.
- Increased comfort and ground compliance keep patients healthier and happier immediately and long term.
Tensegrity’s prosthetic foot closely matches the function of the human foot and ankle during walking—that’s the distinction. Though a carbon-fiber foot better replicates the human foot during running action, most patients walk a lot more than they run.
The Tensegrity technology has benefitted from more than 10 years development using feedback and guidance from professionals at all of levels of the prosthetics industry. The end result is a prosthetic foot that can significantly improve the lives of low-, mid- and high-activity patients.
Tensegrity’s feet are mechanical prostheses that achieve the natural-step movement of a bionic foot. They provide amputees with a natural gait and make it easier for them to walk on diverse terrain. Tensegrity’s unique yet simple mid-foot joint makes this possible. It takes the place of the urethane sandwich-layer commonly found in prosthetic feet and creates a flexible arch in the middle of the foot.
The foot has a heel and a forefoot—with no joint at the ankle. Instead, a novel mid-foot joint (near the anatomic position of the subtalar joint) connects the heel and forefoot and does the job of both the ankle and the arch. Like an ankle joint, it flexes up and down to give the wearer a natural step. And, like a human mid-foot joint, it creates a flexible arch in the middle of the foot to provide sagittal and coronal compliance within the natural ROM of a human foot.
Easier, Faster Fittings
Tensegrity prosthetics can change the most challenging, four-hour fitting—which might end with the patient frustrated and dissatisfied—into a short appointment. And it’s not an exaggeration to say that Tensegrity fittings always seem to end in wonder or jubilation. Why?
The Tensegrity technology absorbs up to a five-percent cross slope without passing any stress up the prosthesis to the residual limb. Amputees feel the foot sitting flat in a variety of positions. They notice that they feel comfortable and stable. Tensegrity feet fit and adjust easily because their gentle-loading curves are easy on your patients’ residual limb.
The feet fit and adjust easily, because their gentle-loading curves are easy on your patients’ residual limb. Amputees feel the foot sitting flat in a variety of positions. They notice that they feel comfortable and stable.
Tensegrity feet are also ideal for patients with neuropathy, scarring, and fragile skin because our compliant-motion technology prevents shear forces within the socket. This is in direct contrast to stiff, carbon-fiber feet, which can increase shear and make fittings much more difficult.
During ambulation, our ground-compliant design conserves metabolic energy, so patients get to lead more satisfying lives. They’re happier, and that means fewer office visits. Thus, prosthetists can see more patients and are better compensated for their time and expertise.