Mobility made possible.
Georgy’s Elan Story
Georgy Evans was three when her leg was amputated below the knee. While shopping with her Mother, Georgy’s foot became trapped between the moving steps and the side of an escalator in a London department store.
Throughout her life, Georgy has worn a variety of prosthetic limbs, from heavy wood, metal and leather constructions to the modern, lightweight carbon fibre prosthetic components. Georgy currently wears the newly enhanced Elan; a microprocessor-controlled hydraulic foot and ankle by Blatchford.
Compared to the fixed ankles she had previously used, Georgy has noticed a difference in her daily life, commenting:
“The Elan is the first fluid ankle I’ve used and the difference it’s made to my balance, stability and confidence has been brilliant, especially when tackling slopes and steps. If I see a slope coming I can just accommodate it in my normal gait. That makes me feel a lot more self‑confident and a lot more relaxed. I don’t have to keep looking down at my feet to see what’s happening. I can keep my head up and see what’s going on around me.”
Alongside running, horse riding and scuba diving, a personal trainer puts Georgy through her paces several times a week to build her strength and fitness. It is common for amputees to put more weight and strain through their intact limb, which can lead to long-term injuries. By strengthening both legs, Georgy is able to distribute her weight more evenly, remaining balanced and stable when standing and walking.
“Being able to balance on one leg is down to the ankle accommodating tiny movements and I have a great deal of control over how it does that. I am able to balance so much better than I ever was before.”
Biomimetic Hydraulic Technology mimics the dynamic and adaptive qualities of muscle actuation to encourage more natural gait. Multiple independent scientific studies, comparing Blatchford hydraulic ankle-feet to non-hydraulic feet, have shown that users benefit from a smoother, more natural gait with evenly balanced limb loading, reduced socket pressures and a reduced risk of trips and falls.
INTRODUCING
Elan
Elan is a microprocessor foot that mimics natural muscle resistance and ankle motion by adapting hydraulic resistance levels to optimise stability when standing and walking, on slopes and uneven terrain. This encourages more symmetrical limb loading, faster walking speed and reduced compensatory movements. The ankle pivot point is optimally positioned close to the natural weight line for a more natural response through the gait cycle.
- Microprocessor controlled self-aligning plantarflexion and dorsiflexion
- Standing support mode increases resistance when stationary to help improve balance, stability, reduce effort and encourage a more natural posture
- Variable response to speed changes
- Increased plantarflexion resistance allows for more energy storage and return when walking quickly or up slopes
- Ankle remains dorsiflexed during swing phase to increase toe clearance and reduce risk of trips and falls
- Batteries contained within the ankle
- Increased dorsiflexion resistance provides a brake when walking down slopes for improved safety and stability
- Sandal Toe Foot Shell
