title: Re-usable post-operative leg supports.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a low cost, safe, intuitive, and reusable post-operative lower leg support that can be delivered rapidly and usable for several months with minimal maintenance.
  
  
  METHODS
  The lower leg support consists of a removable contoured pad secured to a support surface. This surface is attached to a double ball and socket arm which allows six degrees of freedom of movement. The double ball and socket joint is attached to the client's wheelchair using a "U-bolt" type clamp.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The lower leg supports have been used clinically 14 times since September 2008. Financial records indicate the construction costs of each lower leg support are approximately $150 CDN ($90 parts, $60 Labour) which is below the $300 CDN limit for post-operative seating modifications in BC. Re-using these supports for other clients only increases their cost effectiveness. The intuitive operation of the lower leg supports enables quick and easy adjustment of the individual leg supports. Caregivers and community clinicians have used the leg supports during convalescence then returned them to be re-used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The functional longevity, easy installation, low cost and intuitive operation makes these leg supports suitable for post-operative lower leg positioning.
authors.affiliation: Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, Vancouver, BC, Canada. abrule@cw.bc.ca
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brule
mesh_terms: D001915:Braces; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D014910:Wheelchairs