 products that ATPs and clinicians named this year’s Best Picks.</p>
<p>We asked ATPs and occupational and physical therapists specializing in seating and wheeled mobility to name the rehab products that impress them.</p>
<p>As always, the Best Picks list of rules is short. We did not provide a list of products or manufacturer names to choose from; Best Picks are not multiple choice responses. Respondents were free to name as many or as few products as they liked, in any CRT category, so long as the products are currently available for general distribution in the United States and/or Canada (see sidebar). ATPs and clinicians employed by manufacturers or distributors were not allowed to nominate products sold by their companies. That’s it.</p>
<p>ATPs and clinicians have the freedom to nominate a recently launched product that’s newly impressed them, or one that’s produced successful outcomes for years. And of course, ATPs and clinicians self report their favorites. They receive no incentive from us, aside from our request to contribute to the story.</p>
<p>Here, we include their 2017 choices and their explanations, in the hope that opinions from your peers can help you in your own clinical settings. Our gratitude to the industry professionals who took time to nominate products they believe are making a big difference. — Ed.</p>
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<h4>Helio Manual Wheelchair</h4>
<p><img decoding=)
permobilus.com
TR Wheelchair
 is my go-to chair mainly with spinal cord injury (SCI) clients. There is no need for growth or major adjustment with post five-year-plus clients, so getting rid of the numerous adjustments allows for a much lighter chair and no excess wear/slop in the fixed chair from years of use. They hold up to the rigors of an active SCI client for years with little or no wear/breakage.</p>
<p>— Jeff Decker, ATP/SMS, CRTS, National Seating & Mobility</p>
<p><strong>Permobil/TiLite</strong><br />
(800) 545-2266<br />
<a href=)
permobilus.com
multiCHAIR 6000
 934-8266<br />
<a href=)
nuprodx.com/chair6000.htm
Alber e-motion & Twion Power Assists
 426-8581<br />
<a href=)
alber-usa.com
SmartDrive MX2 Power Assist
 637-2980<br />
<a href=)
max-mobility.com
Acta-Relief Back
 564-9248<br />
<a href=)
comfortcompany.com
Zing MPS
 342-8968<br />
<a href=)
easystand.com
F3 Corpus
 a game changer. This will allow users all the features of a great base that have been substantially enhanced, but it now has anterior tilt for the user for transfers, pressure relief, spasticity control, functional reach and a whole host of other considerations. Why would you not (as an ATP or therapist) consider this in your portfolio of choices?</p>
<p>— Joe McKnight, ATP/SMS, CRTS, Numotion</p>
<p><strong>Permobil</strong><br />
(800) 736-0925<br />
<a href=)
permobilus.com
Virtual Seating Coach
 736-0925<br />
<a href=)
permobilus.com
Ortho-Shape OBSS Back
 328-4058<br />
<a href=)
professionals.ottobockus.com
Custom Molded Seating
 781-1633<br />
<a href=)
ridedesigns.com
Firefly Playpak
28 9267 8879<br />
Email: customer.enquiries@fireflyfriends.com<br />
<a href=)
fireflyfriends.com/playpak
Switch-It MicroGuide Joystick
 333-4000<br />
<a href=)
sunrisemedical.com
ROHO Smart Check
 851-3449<br />
<a href=)
permobilus.com/products/seating-and-positioning-by-roho/
RideWorks
 781-1633<br />
<a href=)
ridedesigns.com
Edge 2.0 with iLevel
 800-2002<br />
<a href=)
quantumrehab.com
F5 Corpus VS
 736-0925<br />
<a href=)
permobilus.com
ROVI X3
 433-6834<br />
<a href=)
motionconcepts.com
Matrx MX2
 433-6834<br />
<a href=)
motionconcepts.com
Focus CR
 981-1540<br />
<a href=)
kimobility.com
MyOn HC
 333-6900<br />
<a href=)
invacare.com
Solara 3G
 333-6900<br />
<a href=)
invacare.com
Ginny Paleg: On Abduction & Early Intervention
The evidence that abduction can help reduce hip subluxation remains “Yellow: Measure outcomes,” but is approaching “Green light, go!”, according to a recent systematic review. This has enabled three manufacturers to offer standing systems that abduct 15-30° in each leg or 30-60° total. Because we do not yet know what the optimal amount of abduction is, therapists must continue to measure and palpate the hip to determine the appropriate degree of abduction on each side for each child. Spine, hip and knee alignment should always trump abduction. Children with cerebral palsy are at highest risk for subluxation between ages 2 and 3, so we need these devices to be very small.
The choices for abduction are Prime Engineering HLT SuperStand Straddle (prone/supine/upright); EasyStand Zing (prone/supine/upright); and R82 Gazelle (prone/supine/upright).
The SuperStand and Zing are available with fun fabric covers. The SuperStand HLT Early Intervention (EI) can accommodate the smallest child and can be modified with an abduction system to begin abduction at 9 to 12 months of age.
Early Intervention for Cerebral Palsy
We can tell with 90 to 98 percent accuracy which 2- to 5-month-old infant has a brain injury (cerebral palsy), and we can use the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Exam (HINE) to predict the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level in infants, as well.
We also know that the motor and sensory pathways reach maximal plasticity at age 2 and that the spinal circuitry is laid down by 6 to 12 months.
All of this means we know which child will need assistive devices to explore their world, and we know how important it is to begin this intervention as early as possible, possibly at 9 to 12 months of age.
Three gait trainers can fit infants: Prime Engineering KidWalk Early Intervention (EI); Rifton mini Pacer; and R82 Mustang. All three can accommodate a 6″ inseam, with the Rifton able to go even shorter by reversing the trunk support to be below the frame. The KidWalk is now available with fun fabric covers. The KidWalk is dynamic in all three planes of motion and may be indicated for children with dystonia. In a published study comparing these three models, the KidWalk and Pacer were the easiest to move on tile, and the KidWalk was the easiest to move on carpet. With all this great evidence, early intervention providers should consider using these products more often.
— Ginny Paleg, PT, DScPT, MPT
Joe McKnight: “Our Best Product Is CRT”
Joe McKnight, ATP/SMS, CRTS, is Numotion’s director of business development in California, Nevada and Arizona — and a member of Mobility Management’s editorial advisory board. As such, he offered several Best Picks selections this year.
And then, Joe added this:
Finally, the last product I want you to introduce is people. Being able to offer service, energy, thought and application of new products to new patients is a new mission. You need to write on the process of CRT, because we are our best product. We need to change the hearts and minds of Congress and CMS [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services] to help them appreciate the great value that we bring.
Frankly, our best product of 2017 is CRT. I look across thousands of energetic smiling faces that are engaged with customers and work hard every day to make a difference, and that is a product I’m proud to represent, serve and support. Let’s find a way to illustrate the people who get this done. When I work with our staff, see how engaged they are and how passionate they are, they are the product we get to serve. A passionate person who serves others. I serve that outcome.
Well said, Joe. And thank you for the reminder that passionate professionals are behind all of CRT’s innovations, and also working every day to get those innovations in front of consumers. — Ed.