Common treatment interventions include use of assistive devices, balance training and physical therapy
These interventions are largely compensatory and do not address the lack of sensation in the feet
Walkasins® offers a newly available option, clinically-proven to significantly reduce fall risk in patients with Sensory Peripheral Neuropathy4. See Clinical Research
If you’re new to Walkasins®, download our Information for Prescribers Handout designed to provide doctors and other healthcare professionals with what they need to know about Walkasins.
Below is an outline of how fall prevention guidelines can be applied to address patients with peripheral neuropathy who may benefit from Walkasins.
Regular screening of patient-reported fall history and fear of falling is an important step in identifying patients at risk of falls who may benefit from Walkasins.
Patients displays or reports:
Sensory Peripheral Neuropathy is a specific fall risk factor which, along with evaluations of gait and balance, may suggest a Falls Plan of Care be developed and interventions, such as Walkasins be evaluated for a patient.
Based upon the assessment of risk factors and previous treatments, consider incorporating Walkasins as an intervention to reduce a patient’s fall risk.
Unlike assistive interventions which merely compensate for balance impairment, Walkasins directly targets the root cause of lost sensory nerve function by replacing lost plantar sensation and providing new somatosensation for balance control.
To order Walkasins for a patient who may benefit, please fax the completed Walkasins Prescription Form to RxFunction at 844-925-5279.
Our RxFunction team is here to answer questions or provide additional information
Please call us at 888.382.3518 and ask to speak with:
Walkasins is an external lower limb sensory prosthesis intended to replace the nerve function used for detection and signaling of foot pressure sensation.
Walkasins is indicated for patients with lower limb sensory peripheral neuropathy who present with gait and balance impairments. Walkasins is indicated for patients who can feel the tactile stimuli from the Haptic Module on the lower leg.
Walkasins is contraindicated for:
Age: Any, as long as the Foot Pad and Leg Unit fit properly.
Weight: 55 – 300 lbs. (25 – 136 kg).
Health: Must be able to walk without severe impairment even when using assistive devices.
Education: Must be able to read and understand Instructions for Use.
Walkasins is indicated for patients with lower limb sensory peripheral neuropathy who present with gait and balance impairments. Walkasins is indicated for patients who can feel the tactile stimuli from the Haptic Module on the lower leg.
Please see the Safety Information for a complete list of warnings, precautions, and contraindications.
Caution: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
1CDC.gov.
2Richardson JK, Hurvitz EA., Peripheral neuropathy: a true risk factor for falls. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1995 Jul;50(4):M211-5.
3P.R. Cavanagh, J.A. Derr, J.S. Ulbrecht, R.E. Maser, T.J. Orchard Problems with gait and posture in neuropathic patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus Diabet Med, 9 (5) (1992), pp. 469-474.R.
4Koehler-McNicholas SR, Danzl L, Cataldo AY, Oddsson LIE (2019) Neuromodulation to improve gait and balance function using a sensory neuroprosthesis in people who report insensate feet – A randomized control cross-over study. PLOS ONE 14(4): e0216212. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216212.
