Month: Jun 2017

Another company that I am a big fan of is Saebo. Glyn and the team are great.

I first started using Saebo products while in rehab. The first product I used was the SaeboReach.

This glove was used as my hand was in a clenched fist and this helped straighten out my fingers. If you look back at Danesbury weeks 3 & 4 there’s a picture of me in the flex (I can’t get the photo to copy on to this post). It was great. At the time I thought my hand was always going to be a clenched fist until this product. You can find more info here https://www.saebo.com/saeboflex/

The other product I’ve used is the SaeboGlove.

I had a 2week trial of this and this. Similar to the Flex but you have the ability to use finer movements. It’s lighter that the Flex (obviously) and instead of the springs and metal mounts you have rubber tensioners instead. It’s a very comfortable glove to wear. You can find more info here https://www.saebo.com/saeboglove/
Another product that I only started using today is the SaeboMas.

I think this is incredible and that’s from one use. I don’t have great strength in my shoulder and as a result when I try to pick up bricks to build a tower after the first couple I loose any grip I have and struggle to reach and place the brick. What the Mas does is take the weight of you are allowing you to focus on the action of reaching up higher and keeping your grip. There is also a Mas Mini that can be used at home. You can find more info here https://www.saebo.com/saebomas/

Also while I was at the NeuroExpo I got to see the SaeboVR in action.

It helps people with physical and cognitive challenges involving daily tasks. It’s amazing to think how far things have come in just the 2years since I had my brain fart. I would have loved to have been able to use that while I was in rehab. Again more info here https://www.saebo.com/saebovr/

SaeboStep (for foot drop)

I got to look at this in greater detail too. Again discreet and simple. This is to help pick your foot up as you walk so that you have a better stride. It’s completely customised to you foot and the angle needed for ground clearance. Brilliant. Perhaps I should try this. More info here https://www.saebo.com/saebostep/

There are more products at Saebo. These are just the ones that I’ve used. They also do:

SaeboStretch, StimMicro, MyoTrac & ReJoyce.

Again all of these products can be found here https://www.saebo.com/

Aslo you can find them on Facebook saebouk, Twitter @SaeboUK, and Glyn @saeboukglyn.

If any of the products interest you of you would like more information. Perhaps it might benefit a family member or perhaps your a physio whose patients could benefit then get in contact with them. Like I said before they are very friendly and will answer all of your queries.

Laters 💋

Hey folks

Big big apologies as I haven’t been doing my blog lately but it’s been a bit of a busy time.

I haven’t been in the gym as I damaged my shoulder and then my physio James confirmed it. So I was a bit down with that. But he gave me a load of exercises to do to improve it. Some I can coordinate but some I’m not so good at. I have a session with James again this Thursday so fingers crossed it has improved.

With the help of the CBT I’ve been doing pretty well with health anxiety and have kept it pretty much in control. Which I am pretty pleased with. It has caught me out sometimes but that is o be expected as I’m still learning.

The biggest news I have is that I got to go to the NeuroExpo (neuroconvention.com). It was held in London at the Excel centre. I was so lucky to go. It was amazing. All the new technology, equipment, orthotics, upper limb, lower limb and so so much more. I could do a long long post but I won’t I’ll break it down into individual post on the things that caught my eye. 

The first NeuroExpo post will be up tomorrow morning.

Until then laters 💋

Like i said yesterday I was at lucky enough to go to the Neuro convention at the Excel centre in London on 7th June. It was an amazing experience seeing all the new developments in technology that can help people with physical disability to gain more independence. 

One of the stands that I went to, infact spent the biggest amount of time at was a company called Talarmade (www.TalarMade.com twitter-@talarmade Facebook-TalarMade) Talarmade special in orthotics. And this was what interested me:

Here is a little bit of what the website tells you about it and then I will tell you what how I felt wearing it. 
 The TurboMed FS3000 AFO is a revolutionary new treatment option for drop foot. It’s unique patented design acts as an exoskeleton to the impaired limb and provides the user with unparalleled levels of function without discomfort or rubbing.

The FS3000 is a custom build modular ankle foot orthosis (AFO) made from highly durable thermoplastic (warrantied for 2 years). It attaches to the outside of footwear and quickly and easily interchangeable from shoe to shoe.

Unlike many other AFO’s, the FS3000 does not prevent ankle plantarflexion or limit dorsiflexion, making it easier and much more comfortable for patients to walk and run on slopes, stairs and uneven surfaces.

Right now my review. This is one amazing bit of kit. First of all its so lightweight and that was with it already attached to a trainer. It wasn’t an eyesore to look at but to be fair even if it was I wouldn’t care and I’ll tell you why. 

For 2 years since my aneurysm I’ve been trying to find the best equipment to help me to walk again as I have a drop foot and it also turns in ( I can’t remember the scientific name).

So I have a silicone boot made by the NHS which is moulded to the shape of my foot and keeps my foot in the correct position but it isn’t very flexible, obviously it’s not really meant to be that flexible but when trying to walk up steps it isn’t that easy. 

I’ve used a FES machine to stimulate the nerves in my leg to lift my foot which has worked in the past but it isn’t constant. Even when i draw around the electrodes on my leg so that they are in the same place everyday. When it works it’s great and I feel like I’m walking normally but then the next day it doesn’t and it’s so frustrating. Also with all the wires you can get a bit tangled up.

So we come to the FS3000. Well it’s brilliant. Like I was saying it’s sooooo lightweight. I was talking with Simon (clinical director) and he helped put the trainer on my foot. Well…….the FS3000 is incredibly flexible and still so supportive. Once my foot was in the trainer and the velcro was secured Simon told me to go for a walk around the convention. So I took my stick and off I went. Within minutes I had forgotten that i was wearing it. I wasn’t focused on where I was walking or how my foot was placed. I could look at what was on the other stands and not worry. I was leading with my heel. Walking like I used to. When I went back to the booth I didn’t need to say anything as the big grin on my face said it all. I even walked around without my stick! Here is a little video:

I could feel my hamstring and calf working. I had less stress and tension in my left leg. While standing there and talking I could feel my centre of gravity was back where it should be……….in the centre. I wasn’t leaning to my left I was standing level. In such a small amount of time the FS3000 had changed my walk, posture and energy levels. It’s one amazing bit of equipment. There really isn’t anything else to say about this except if you’re a patient speak to your doctor/physio/orthotist or if you’re in the clinical profession get in touch with Simon and his team (info@talarmade.com).

Laters 💋