Operation

If you have purchased a Turning Leg Caddy (“TLC”), a medical device designed to maximize mobility during recovery from foot or ankle surgery or injury we ask that you carefully read the following operational instructions.

CAUTION: As with any new physical activity, instruction, practice and common sense are necessary for successful use of the TLC. Your health professional or TLC distributor can provide instruction and demonstration. Practice operating the TLC to increase your skill and confidence. Gradually increasing the time you spend using the TLC will allow your muscles to adjust to this new activity.

PREPARATION: Wearing non-slip shoes on your non-injured foot check the position of the TLC. To adjust the platform for a right or left foot, remove the platform pin, lift the platform from its frame, turn it around 180 degrees to the correct side, then replace the platform in the frame and reinsert the pin. The edge of the platform should be aligned with the edge of the frame on the non-injured side. When standing behind the TLC, the platform should be off-center to the left for a right foot injury and off-center to the right for a left foot injury. The pads are attached with Velco strips with the larger pad on the front and the smaller pad to the back; both pads should align themselves to the end of the platform

Stand on the side of the TLC where your pushing foot will be. Lock the parking break. Release the quick-release clamp on the T-tube and adjust the height of the hand grips to a comfortable upright fit. Relock the quick release pin.

WARNING: Failure to properly engage the quick release clamp may cause the T-tube to telescope up or down while the TLC is in use and may cause you to lose control. With the quick-release clamp properly adjusted the handlebars will remain stationary.

MOVEMENT: Place your hands on the handlebars and position the knee of your injured leg or foot on the front pad so that the top of your boot or cast is directly over the space between the pads. Your lower leg is then resting on the rear pad. Release the parking brake and propel yourself forward or backward with your pushing foot while keeping the knee of your injured foot centered on the front pad. Move slowly so that you can stop safely using your pushing foot. The hand brake may be used if needed but is primarily designed to keep the scooter stationary.

BRAKE: The brake is engaged by depressing the brake lever on the handlebar. The breaking wheel must be in contact with the floor, and the brake works best with weight on the TLC. To set the break, squeeze the brake lever and push down on the button located on the break lever. To unlock the brake, squeeze the brake lever until the button-lock releases.

Brake Adjustment: For packing, the hand lever for the brake will be in an upright position. Use a 5/32 Allen wrench to loosen the hand lever and reposition it to a comfortable use position, re-tighten with the Allen wrench as necessary. The pressure of the break mechanism on the break wheel should be enough so that when the hand lever is fully squeezed, the brake wheel will not turn. The brake tension can be adjusted with the nuts at either end of the brake cable. Turning the screw clockwise will loosen the brake and turning the screw counter clockwise will tighten the brake (see parking brake instructions).

WARNING: Check the release pin which holds the knee platform in place before each use to make sure that it is securely in place. Check daily and when storing the TLC in your vehicle while traveling.

WARNING: Because of the light weight of the TLC, use of the hand brake while in motion may cause an abrupt stop.

WARNING: Do not use the TLC on or near stairs or while using mind-altering drugs or alcohol or while suffering from dizziness.

WARNING: Do not use the TLC to pull yourself up from a seated or other position.

WARNING: Use caution when moving from carpeted to hard surface floors and on any rough surfaces or when changing levels (for example, moving from a curb to the street and back onto the sidewalk). Check the TLC frequently for any loose pins, nuts or bolts and the quick release clamp on the T-tube. DO not use the TLC if any pins are missing.