Echelon Foot

[billf]

Allen: I seen in another forum that you commented favorably on the Echelon foot. I am considering that foot for a new setup being fabricated for me. I am currently wearing a carbon fiber foot (low profile Renegade), which does not compare favorably to the higher profile version of the same foot. Since I no longer have clearance problems between foot and socket (Ossur Harmony pump is gone) I am interested in a good multi terrain walking foot. I would appreciate any further comments you may have regarding the Echelon used in an environment I described. Anyone else with comments regarding feet would also be appreciated.

Thanks, BillF, lbk 2001

[allenuk]

Hello Bill.

Yes, indeed, I have had the Echelon for a couple of months now. But as I also said in that message you mention, if your socket ain't right, then you obviously don't get the full benefit of the foot.

Hopefully, your socket is fine, but I mention it because mine isn't, and thus I'm not yet able to give a full review of the foot.

It SEEMS great, articulating forward and back, although in my case it took a bit of getting used to - at least with a normal prosthetic foot, you know precisely where it's going to be pointing. Just where it was last time! But if you're working (say washing dishes) and moving around, then sometimes lifting your leg and putting it back on the floor, you find your toes have dropped and are pointing slightly downwards. My man corrected this to some extent by doing some tightening of the hydraulics, and it is better.

But for those who haven't seen it, I repeat the link to the series of videos which show what other people (with good sockets, I hope) think of the foot:

www.endolite.co.uk/Echelon_Foot/ech_exp.html

There are a few videos on the right of that page showing different aspects of the foot.

When my socket DOES feel right, then the foot feels 10/10, no question. You walk with a 'roll', your gait becomes more of a circle, less angular, if you know what I mean. Watch the videos. It is a much more 'natural' gait, and my physio points out that in the long term it should have positive effects on my hips, spine, etc., rather than lumping along with the present L-shaped set-up (i.e. leg/foot being in a permanently fixed 'L' shape).

Hope this goes a little way to helping your researches!

Other people I've met at my leg hospital (BKAs, AKAs, and one bilaterial BKA/AKA) who have the foot swear by them.



Allen.

[ann58]

I have had the echelon foot for over a year....love it. You go outside & you do not have to worry about taking a step & boom the foot stopping. I hate to watch every step....with this foot it rolls over perfect....

[stonecutter]

So today is the first time I actually spent some time REALLY looking at the Echelon foot on the website. I had a quick read before, but now with my detailed read, I am green with envy. I'm currently on the Renegade foot that BillF referenced. It's an okay foot, but I've never been entirely happy with it...

Does anyone know what the thing retails for? I wonder if I'd be able to convince the workers compensation board to spring for it for me.

[ann58]

Aug 5, 2010 7:28:32 GMT -7 stonecutter said:

So today is the first time I actually spent some time REALLY looking at the Echelon foot on the website. I had a quick read before, but now with my detailed read, I am green with envy. I'm currently on the Renegade foot that BillF referenced. It's an okay foot, but I've never been entirely happy with it...

Does anyone know what the thing retails for? I wonder if I'd be able to convince the workers compensation board to spring for it for me.

Stonecutter; I don't know what it costs @ other prosthetic clinics But I was charged $8000 and had to pay it myself. Alot of money but well worth it for me. It is really a great foot.
ann

[allenuk]

My Echelon is great, too, and I wouldn't swap it for anything.

Except.....

Maybe I WOULD swap it for a comfortable socket, as whatever else the Echelon does, it DOESN'T turn a not-too-good socket into a good one.


Allen.

[ann58]

Yes Allen, by all means, the socket has to fit no matter what foot you are using

[Tom]

I'm getting a new check socket and an Echelon foot on Monday. I hope it's as good as its press releases.

[allenuk]

Tom: if you are very lucky, it will suit you straight away. But be prepared for a bit of settling-in time, getting used to it. Depends how long you've been an amp, but after 5 years on an 'ordinary' foot, it took me about a month to get to like the Echelon. Once I did, it was great.

But I do tend to be 63 going on 13, so expect wands to be waved, lights to flash, and generally have everything go right from the get-go. Often not the case!

Allen.