Reply summary follows the original posting.
A few of the replies have been edited to remove desparaging remarks about Otto Bock, which while supportive of my feelings in reaction to this situation, did not add to the enlightenment of the profession.
—–Original Message—–
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, December 29, 2014 11:39 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [OANDP-L] C-Leg repairs outside of Otto Bock
Is anyone aware of a company or individual who will perform electrical repairs on an out of warrantee CLeg? I have a client who has a broken charging connector on an otherwise worn but functional unit. Otto Bock will not repair this minor problem without performing a comprehensive overhaul, to the tune of $25,000.00. Obviously they want to sell a new knee. Not going to happen on this client at this time with his insurance. I need another option.Ted A. Trower CPO, A-S-C Orthotics & ProstheticsJackson, MIwww.amputee.com ********************To unsubscribe, send a message to: [email protected] withthe words UNSUB OANDP-L in the body of themessage.If you have a problem unsubscribing,or have otherquestions, send e-mail to the moderatorPaul E. Prusakowski,CPO at [email protected] is a forum for the discussion of topicsrelated to Orthotics and Prosthetics.Public commercial postings are forbidden. Responses to inquiriesshould not be sent to the entire oandp-l list. Professional credentialsor affiliations should be used in all communications.
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Ifit a similar patient several years ago in st. Louis. We fabricated a shortcustom boot/liner for the distal limb to add circumference without addingsignificant length. We were then able to utilize an off-the-shelf conicalliner.we also used a Seal in liner with a coyote lock at the hip for extrasuspension. That patient runs triathlons so.. . .
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Have you triedtaking it to a cell phone repair company? It is just an idea, but Igather they could do something.
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Hi ted,
I dont have source, but i have had ossur and freedom refuse service to an outof warranty item in the last few months. I think its a twist the manufacturersare all mutually aware of. It doesn’t help the patient who may have been asolid k3 four to six years ago but doesnt quite present that level anymore, orothers who’s insurance profile has changed. They may have lower coverage thatdoesnt allow a new mpk anymore. Naturally, i’ll be looking forward to anysources.
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Ted, Two ideasright off the top of my head, check with the local Radio Shack for hobbieststhat like working on challenging/new devices to repair, or a local High Schoolor Trade School that has an electronics lab as part of their program. May notwork out, but my best thoughts at the moment.
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Send me apicture of the damage. I repair a lot of wheelchair damaged electricalparts.
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Hello Ted,
My name is Daniel Mincke and I am co-owner to VMS Prosthetics. I read your posting on Monday’s OandPL listings about a charging port issue on a patients C-leg.
Our company is comprised of the former technical fabrication specialists from Otto Bock. When Otto Bock decided to move to Salt Lake City Utah,and Austin earlier in the year, many of the technicians, specialists, and service techs who created they’re basis of standards for fabrication and service declined the move Utah, and remain in MN.
We have an individual who spent 33 years at Otto Bock with a strong focus on electronic wiring, signal flow, particular to myo-electric systems, as well as micro-processors for c-leg and genium.
I don’t think a charging port should be an issue for him.
Are we talking loose cabling, or broken post leads, housing,etc?
He is checking to see if he has a wire-able port to install on a worst case fix. An easy fix would be soldering to the leads/posts, and re-installing insulating dielectric silicone.
If you haven’t found anybody, we would love to help if we can. We will be back in the lab on Friday and should know by then if we have a wire-able alternative port (if its needed)
Anyways, all the best and a Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
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I would checkwith your Otto Bock rep. They might be able to pull some strings. If thatdoesn’t work I have an old c-leg laying around which I could send you forparts.
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This is trulyan example of how prosthetic manufacturers are trying to limit amputee’soption’s.
It is such a shame that prosthetic manufacturers continually look at the bottomline to secure profits, instead of how they could help amputee’s better. AMerry Christmas to all amputee’s right !!!!!.
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Ted, My sonand I have been playing with old C-Legs for a couple of years. We save oldC-legs, cannabilize them and have come up with a few working units that we useas loaners and trial units. Now to your problem. Do you have donor parts?Because Otto Bock will not sell them to you. If you do and you are willing totry it (your patient has nothing to lose at this point) you can do it. Thecharging/programming port snaps in to the front of the knee chassis. If youtake a small screwdriver you can pop it up but before removing it you have twoflat cables that plug into it. they come up the inside of the knee chassis infront of the hydraulic unit. When you pull out thew charging/programming portthey will unplug. No big deal. The big deal is plugging them in when you dropin the new charging/programming port. We have gotten lucky a couple of timesand been able to guide them up into their correct positions and plug them in,but more often you do n to get lucky and at this point you must remove thehydraulic cylinder to get it out of the way to plug the two flat cables in. Itis not hard to do, metric allen wrenches to the axles and pull it out of the way.Plug in the two flat cables and put the hydraulic cylinder back in. Done
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Hi,
Please share your responses I have similar case
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I have a dead c-leg that I keeparound in case I need to set a c-leg in the alignment jig. You would bewelcome to steal the parts you need. I haven’t fit a c-leg in a couple ofyears. I’ve pretty much given up on Otto bock.
From what Iunderstand they are fairly easy to take apart. Can’t be any trickier thanan iPhone 🙂
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Possibly try a cell phone or computer repair shop……
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