The load on the injured leg is usually measured with bathroom scales. Why is this ineffective and is there a better alternative?
Many patients with injuries to the musculoskeletal system are prescribed to keep the weight off the injured extremity. This is a complex process, since, on the one hand, a gradual and correct increase in axial loading helps maintain muscle mass, stimulates recovery and bone healing.
On the other hand, excessive and premature loading can lead to implant failure, nonunion of bone fragments and prolonged rehabilitation.
BATHROOM SCALES
Bathroom scales have been used for weight bearing (WB) purposes for many years. The physical therapist usually instructs the patient to step on the scale, remember the feeling of a certain weight, and try to reproduce it when moving around with crutches.
However, the quantitative data obtained from scales cannot be easily applied in a dynamic situation, since static WB has little to do with weight distribution during walking [1]. Hence, most patients are unable to internalize and replicate their WB statuses correctly. [2-5]
Moreover, several studies have shown that patients in the early stages of rehabilitation tend to put twice the recommended weight on the involved leg [4, 5], which can delay healing processes and result in re-injury.
Therefore, the use of bathroom scales as a way to learn and maintain proper WB levels throughout the recovery process is questioned – especially when the amount of weight borne through the leg should be minimal.
FORCE PLATES
Force plates provide greater accuracy than bathroom scales but are mainly used in clinical research settings or large clinics due to high purchase and maintenance costs.
High-quality force plates cost $40k or more and may require the help of specialized technicians to calibrate them. [6]
BIOFEEDBACK DEVICES
Among the above mentioned, biofeedback devices are the most effective method for measuring the load on the injured leg while walking. [7]
For weight bearing therapy, these are usually different in-shoe devices such as insoles or sandals that measure in-shoe pressure and provide real-time feedback on partial weight distribution.
The biggest drawback is they are expensive ($2-15k) and therefore not easily available for the average consumer. [3, 8, 9]
Method Comparison Table
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Smart, Accurate & Affordable – Crutch Tips For Proper Weight Bearing
ComeBack Mobility has developed an innovative solution that combines all the advantages of the above methods. These are the Smart Crutch Tips to measure and monitor the load on the injured leg during walking – available for home use and without extra costs!
Our solution is not only a hundred times cheaper than similar solutions of competitors, but also actually solves the existing problem, unlike bathroom scales.
