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TECHNOLOGY
Technology Steps Up Pediatric Patient’s Game
T en-year-old Kaitlynn Huitt's six other patients have also been able to
life has been challenging from purchase the device, while 10 more use it
the very beginning. The small frequently at therapy sessions. Kaitlynn
only removes the device to bathe and
brunette with the sweet smile sleep, and it only fires when she steps,
not while sitting at her desk in school or
suffered a stroke in utero and was relaxing at home. By receiving the
consistent reminder to lift her heel,
delivered four weeks premature at The Kaitlynn has experienced less back pain
and strain in the muscles of her stronger
Medical Center, Navicent Health. leg.
Although tiny Kaitlynn grew into a When Kaitlynn visits her therapist,
Debbie Ryan, each week, Debbie can
strong toddler, she was diagnosed with adjust the setting on the Bioness to
create a stronger or weaker pulse,
cerebral palsy as a result of the stroke, allowing Kaitlynn to progress in her
physical therapy.
and the effects of the stroke lingered.
“I think she's made a lot of progress in
Like older stroke survivors, Kaitlynn the year that she has had the Bioness. I
would notice at the end of the day, when
walks with a foot drop. Now, thanks to she came home from school, she was
really dragging that foot. That's
new technology offered by Pediatric improved a lot. It builds strength, it
builds the muscle,” said Nancy.
Outpatient Therapy, Navicent Health,
Bioness is just one way that Pediatric
Kaitlynn is able to overcome her foot Outpatient Therapy, Navicent Health is using
technology to enhance patient's lives. For more
drop. information on pediatric therapy services, visit
NavicentHealth.org, keyword “Pediatric
“When she was in the Neonatal Intensive Therapy.”
Care Unit, they said that she may never
walk or talk, so she's kind of a miracle
child as it is. She's had a lot of typical
stroke symptoms. She has right side
weakness and that's where the Bioness
has really helped,” said Nancy Huitt,
Kaitlynn's mom.
The Bioness L300 Foot Drop System is a
small electronic device that attaches to a
cuff placed on the child's lower leg. The
functional electrical stimulation system
stimulates the nerves in the lower leg,
activating muscles to lift the foot during
gait. The device allows children like
Kaitlyn to walk more naturally with
greater speed and stability and less risk
of falls.
“Sometimes, when she gets tired, she will drag now more able to walk without incident, even
the toes. It's hard for her to tell if she's actually participating in Physical Education at school
picking her foot up, and so it starts to drag. and running with her Rottweiler, Riley, at
Bioness gives her sensory input to lift the foot,” home.
said Nancy.
Although Bioness can cost as much as $10,000,
Before using Bioness, Kaitlyn often stumbled, Nancy's insurance covered 70 percent of the
tripped and fell. Thanks to the device, she is cost so that Kaitlynn would benefit from
Bioness outside of therapy time. At this time,
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