Skip to content
  • Prosthetic Systems
    • Transfemoral: Above Knee
    • Transtibial: Below Knee
    • Knee Disarticulate
    • Hip Disarticulate
    • Arm & Hand
  • Visit POA
    • Global Outreach
    • Travel Guide
  • About POA
    • Our Philosophy
    • Our Facility
    • Our Technology
  • Forms & Resources
    • Client Stories
    • Photo and Video Galleries
    • Patient Resources
    • Instructions for Care and Use
  • Training & Therapy
  • Kids & Teens
  • Contact POA
 

Tag: Genium feedback

The Genium Bionic Leg System (Knee)

geniumkneeback_jpg2

POA has begun fitting the new Genium knee on patients and their feedback has been very informative. In an effort to share those helpful first impressions with the rest of the amputee community, I will begin posting patient feedback via written words, photos, and videos on this blog, starting with my own….
——————————-

karen-left-ak1

Karen Hughes, age 52, above-knee amputee
since age 13 due to osteosarcoma (bone cancer)

I was recently given an opportunity to try the new Genium knee by Otto Bock. I’d been following its evolution over the past five years, and looked forward to testing it myself. But at the same time I was trying to curb my enthusiasm for it a bit since I knew my insurance company would not likely pay for one. While I truly believe that this technology will be the standard for the future, I am concerned about its affordability and availability for all amputees. Incredibly, many of the private sector insurance companies are still denying microprocessor knees which have been on the market for 12 years because they consider them “experimental?!” Not much chance they’d cover this new and more expensive technology.

So with that in mind, I took my first few steps with the Genium knee. It was unlike my past experience with another Otto Bock knee, the C-Leg, which I found to be very controlling and robotic. The movement of the Genium knee was smooth and responsive in a way I have never experienced before.

Set-up was quick and easy, based on information provided by the knee which allowed the practitioners to fine tune the settings to my personal requirements. In less than 5 minutes I was ready to go!

The first thing I tried was going from a standing position to a seated one. The knee sensed my movement and released the knee instantly with just enough support; I didn’t have to push down with my foot to initiate it! Then I began to walk. Because I don’t choose to fully utilize the stance flexion feature of my current microprocessor knee (it inhibits my ability to control the prosthesis myself), I was worried that I would have difficulty adapting to the Genium. That was not an issue. I was amazed at how quickly I just relaxed into it! The motion was smooth and natural in a way that is different from other microprocessor knees. It seemed to respond faster and I was able to change direction and/or walking speed without even thinking about it. The knee intuitively knew what to do. I felt like I was walking on my two natural legs again! The Genium didn’t require me to initiate anything other than a normal walking motion – it was effortless.

Then I tried it on the stairs. I always use a handrail for support when walking down stairs foot over foot. I’ve never trusted the hydraulics in my knees enough to “ride them down.” This time I walked down without gripping the handrail; in fact, I barely touched it! The knee supported and released without hesitation or effort no matter where my foot was placed. Ascending the stairs required a backwards sweeping motion to activate the function, which I found awkward. However, I’m sure I’d be able to master it, with time and practice. That same motion is used to signal the knee to step over an obstacle. I tried using it to step over a curb and kept reverting back to my usual method – swinging it around and bringing the foot down heel first. Again, that is something I could easily learn to do if I desired.

I was also able to walk up and down a steep ramp without a thought. From what I have read, that was because gyros and sensors were making adjustments in heel rise as I moved. All I know is that it was very easy and required no extra effort.

Would I recommend the Genium to other above-knee amputees? In a heartbeat! There is nothing else like it on the market today. Although not everyone will utilize every single one of the knee’s features, its ability to sense where it is in space is HUGE, and something that would be beneficial for us all. I have seen ads and videos featuring young, athletic men using the Genium knee to help them do things faster, smoother and easier than they were able to before. While that in itself is exciting and definitely life-enhancing, I think Otto Bock is targeting too small a group. The people I believe it will impact most are “average” amputees of all ages and physical condition. The optimized performance of the Genium could give them the confidence to try things they never had the courage or stamina to try before! It could be life-changing.

All that being said, I also have had very good experience with my Plie’ microprocessor knee for the past 5 years. It allows me to do most things I want to do and is safe enough without being controlling during most activities. But the Genium is definitely more cutting edge and responsive, in a different class than all other microprocessor knees.

Overall, I was very impressed with the Genium knee, and I hope that this type of technology will soon be the standard for all prosthetic knees. Its important that we advocate for ourselves as a community to change the way insurance companies determine coverage of prosthetic devices. We need to push lawmakers to require insurance companies to cover prosthetic care on par with other essential medical care.

Author Cowbell AdminPosted on August 29, 2011Categories Amputee News, Articles, Education/Information, Featured Products, New Prosthetic Products, prosthetic newsTags Genium Bionic Prosthetic System, Genium feedback, Genium knee, Genium opinion, test

Recent Posts

  • Talie, Hip Disarticulate Amputee
  • Mei White, PFFD Amputee – Paralympic Dreams Come True
  • POA #LiveYourBestLife Patient of the Week – Marilyn, AK Amputee
  • Patterson Propulsion Socket (PPS) Prosthetic System is a Game Changer!
  • It’s a “Marvel”- ous Day for Prosthetics at POA Orlando

Archives

  • March 2022
  • August 2021
  • March 2021
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • March 2020
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • July 2019
  • January 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • February 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • April 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • July 2009
  • May 2009
  • January 2009
 
  • Prosthetic & Orthotic Associates
    3160 Southgate Commerce Blvd #38,
    Orlando, FL 32806
    Phone: (407) 245-7770
    Fax: (407) 245-7727
    Toll-Free: (800) 745-2556
    Email: poainfo@poacfl.com

    • Home
    • About Us
      • Our Philosophy
      • Our Facility
      • Our Technology
      • Gait and Fitness/Sports Training
    • Prosthetic Systems
      • Transfemoral: Above Knee
      • Transtibial: Below Knee
      • Knee Disarticulate
      • Hip Disarticulate
    • News and Resources
      • Client Stories
      • Photo and Video Galleries
      • Resources
      • Instructions for Care and Use
    • Kids and Teens
    • Visit POA
      • Global Outreach
      • Travel Guide
    • Contact