INITIAL FIT / DONNING BRACE
1. Ensure upper DFS ratchet is set at one.
2. Align brace on patient's leg with center of hinge at midline of the
knee, sagittal (anterior/posterior) plane.
3. Secure gastroc strap by pulling Quick Fit button into calf shell
keyhole (match white colors). (Figure 4)
4. Ensure calf Quick Fit buckle is open. Insert the lower Quick Fit
buckle (blue) into the blue keyhole on the calf shell. Close the Quick
Fit buckle (Figure 5).
5. In the seated position, bend knee to an 80°angle with foot flat on
floor.
6. Insert the upper Quick Fit Thigh Connecter (yellow) into the yellow
keyhole on the thigh shell. (Figure 6)
7. Re-position the integrated strap pad to the location where the two
DFS straps cross in the popliteal as needed.
8. Affix the non-hinge end of the elastic thigh strap in proper alignment
with the contact closure on the non-hinge end of the thigh shell
(Figure 7).
9. Practitioner must make a one-time tension adjustment of the elastic
thigh strap (Figure 8). Affix the non-hinge side of the elastic thigh
strap to the center of the fastening pad on the shell. To adjust the
tension, reposition the opposite end of the thigh strap to the thigh
connector fastening pad (Figure 9). Ensure no contact closure hook
is exposed to skin.
10. Ensure that the Dynamic Force Control System ratchet is set to one.
While knee is flexed to 80 degrees, the practitioner should tighten
the upper DFS strap to its proper tension using the contact closure.
11. In the same position of flexion, the practitioner should tighten the
lower DFS strap to its proper tension.
12. Adjust the Dynamic Force Control System ratchet on the upper DFS
strap to a setting of five. Practitioner will confirm the optimum strap
lengths/unloading based on the patient's feedback (Figure 10).
Trim straps as needed (see optional ONE-TIME STRAP LENGTH
ADJUSTMENT instructions below).
13. If the patient requires more or less unloading, adjust the tension of
the upper DFS strap accordingly with Dynamic Force Control System
ratchet as needed. (Note: If ratchet has been pulled to its maximum
and patient requires additional unloading force, the upper DFS strap
must be shortened).
14. Keyhole locks may be inserted into calf and thigh shells (Figure 11)
if desired to ensure straps cannot accidentally be disengaged from
shells.
15. Ensure strap and strap pad are positioned properly in the popliteal
region.(Figure 12)
NOTE: Have patient wear brace for a few minutes to make sure straps
are at a comfortable tension.
REMOVING BRACE
1. In the seated position, bend knee to an 80° angle with foot flat on
the floor.
2. Press button on Dynamic Force Control System ratchet to release
tension on the upper DFS strap to a setting of one (Figure 13).
3. Reduce tension of elastic thigh strap by removing the contact closure
from the non-hinge side of the shell. The thigh strap should remain
tethered to the shell.
4. Pull upper Quick Fit Thigh Connecter out of shell keyhole (Figure 14).
5. Open lower Quick Fit Buckle and remove lower Quick Fit Buckle
from keyhole.
6. Remove gastroc strap by detaching Quick Fit button from keyhole.
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