Matia Robotics have announced three new options for the Tek RMD that we expect to be available in late 2020 or early 2021. We are most excited about the Motorised Electric Lifter which we feel will open up the product to many more potential users.

As we saw in a recent article, pressure ulcers remain a serious problem. A plethora of medical and “mechanical” risk factors combine, leading to more than 400,000 pressure ulcers in the UK each year.

We could say that it’s not what you “put on” an at risk foot that provides protection - it’s what you take off - specifically pressure and shear. The PRAFO designs are effective means of doing just that.

Let’s take a look at what pressure ulcers are and why they seem to be so difficult to deal with. Sadly, this 2020 article could just as easily been written 20 or 30 years ago - the problems are still with us. The PRAFO range of ankle foot orthoses remain one of the most effective ways of preventing or treating heel ulcers - whatever the year.

One of the clear and obvious benefits of a Tek RMD is that it allows clients to stand with good posture and move around indoors. For most people that might be appreciated by their therapist but it’s not enough of a benefit to justify purchase. So how do clients find value from the Tek RMD?

It is important that the large number of sick and vulnerable patients with COVID-19 in our Hospitals do not develop iatrogenic harm. High dependency units and all wards need to remember to protect vulnerable groups of patients from more than the impact of the virus - the issue of iatrogenic harm is of serious concern because it amplifies the impact on the individual and NHS resources. If vulnerable patients develop any form of iatrogenic harm it will not only put them at greater risk but will probably delay discharge and use extra NHS resources that at this time are more precious than ever.

For several years we have worked successfully with the Stimulette Den2x (replaced by RISE Stimulator) with many home based clients in the UK. The product was designed for simple use in a home environment and has proved itself to be very effective in restoring muscle tissue bulk and quality with clients who have an injury to the spine or peripheral nerves resulting in muscle denervation.