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GETTING STARTED
***NEW***
In order to obtain the most successful results, we have adopted a new policy that requires you to visit your prosthetist to place your order for a hinged crank arm. However, we encourage you to read on as being informed about the process will be beneficial to you. If you are a prosthetist reading about getting started, please be sure to view the page BIKE INFO prior to placing the order.
Necessary Steps...
1) Two pictures - one at each pedaling limit (Fig.3, shown below), i like to think of each as the 9o'clock and 3 o'clock limits.
It is best to take these with the bicycle that the HCA will be mounted to, however as long as all proportions are the same a borrowed bike may do. Proportions to consider are frame size, wheel size, crank length, and seat height.
The seat height should be set at a comfortable level, however the seat may require some adjustment during the initial trial run. A guideline to look for is having the sound side knee 2-3 degrees flexed (i.e. almost fully extended) when it is at the 6 oclock position. In other words when the pedal is closest to the ground. The pics should be taken in the sagittal plane (a side view). Also attempt to keep the upper body position the same in both pictures.
2) Information and pictures highlighting your ROM may be helpful, and you should visit your prosthetist to enable him to properly complete the order.
Fig. 3 - 9o'clock and 3'o'clock limits
Once you have completed these steps, you will then be able to provide us with sufficient information to complete the order form. Once we receive the order form we are ready to begin fabricating your very own custom made HCA that we hope will enable you or your child to ride a bicycle.
***NEW***
If you would like to fast track towards riding with a hinged crank arm, you can ask your prosthetist to simply fill out the order form on the next page and email us your pics as soon as you can. In the event that you do not use a prosthesis, please contact us directly and we can steer you in the right direction.
*****
Once we've mailed it to your prosthetic facility, a trial run must take place. For this, we recommend placing the bicycle on a bicycle trainer to create a safe environment. This is the blue piece of equipment attached to the rear wheel in Fig. 4. You may obtain one by going to your local bike shop and purchasing one or borrowing one for the day from a friend/bike shop. If you are prosthetist who is not familiar with bikes, we recommend having the part installed at a local bike shops. If you feel comfortable changing a crank arm, don't forget that you will need a crank puller to remove the existing crank arm. A digital recording of this event would be extremely helpful to us as we are still in the very early stages of the HCA’s development.
Fig. 4 - Trial run with trainer
It usually take about 6-8 weeks to have the part fabricated and sent to you. If you have any more questions about getting started, please feel free to contact us by email.
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