It's rare these days for useful research to occur outside a "research" setting, one with big-dollar (taxpayer) grants or a large group of people. Research seems to be confined to universities and major corporations.

Research in an isolated place such as Thomaston would seem unlikely. But here it is.

With hip fractures in the elderly and various other lower-limb injuries, there has been a need to protect the damaged limb from re-fracture by limiting weight-bearing. Conversely, overprotection of the damaged limb allows the bone in that limb to weaken. There is an ideal amount of weight that is a compromise between risking re-fracture and risking preventable bone weakness.

But how to teach the patient what that amount of weight is, as he or she uses crutches or a walker and tries to step down but not too hard?

The answer is gait training with a set of counterweighted platforms. As the patient steps on the platform, nothing happens if the weight placed on the affected limb is safe. When the maximum weight is reached, the platform gives way slightly. The patient, therefore, can learn how hard to step so as to not quite make the platform start to give way.

The patent (6217484) is pending. There is no other place to get this therapy, as Dr. Harshman has so far not permitted the manufacture of the device by anyone else.

The cost of use is not likely to be very much different from ordinary gait training. Physical therapists who wish to bring their own patients are welcome to do so and charge for the professional component (CPT modifier 26) if insurance is billed.

Edward J. Harshman M.D.

New Gait Training Device