Bauerfeind ValguLoc II Mode D'emploi page 7

4. Place the small strap around the big toe starting from the
bottom. Position the large strap beneath the foot. Close both
straps by pulling the toe strap around the big toe starting
from the bottom, passing it through the guide slit and fasten
lightly. Pass the foot strap around the midfoot, again starting
from the bottom, pull it through the guide slit and fasten
lightly. Now undo the end of the foot strap and tighten it
until the splint ts rmly against the foot but without any
uncomfortable pressure. Now do the same with the toe strap
(Fig. 4). As supplied, the toe strap is long enough to t around
a bandaged toe after a hallux valgus operation. If used without
a bandage the strap can be shortened during this adjustment
(trim Velcro® fastening with scissors).
The splint is correctly tted to the foot if the metatarsophalangeal
still retains most of its mobility. If so, it may now be worn inside a
shoe. To avoid unnecessary pressure points, you should only wear
the splint in a wide- tting comfortable shoe (e.g. sport shoe).
If the splint is used for immobilization after an operation, any
movement in the metatarsophalangeal joint must be prevented
(lock the splint joint). If used postoperatively, the splint may
only be applied in an orthopaedic shoe with a stiffened sole.
Adjusting and locking the correction angle
An excentric adjuster on the support can be used for the external
graduated adjustment of the varus-valgus angle (in approx. 2°
increments from 10° valgus to 2° varus; setting as supplied
from the factory: +6°). For a splint worn on the right foot, the
angle must be adjusted in the R direction (grey scale), while a
splint worn on the left foot must be adjusted in the L direction
(red scale). Proceed as follows:
5. Remove the outer locking ring of the splint using the supplied
adjuster chip (Fig. 5). Press the attened side of the adjuster
chip against the locking ring from the bottom in an upward
direction to release the ring from its anchorage and reveal the
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adjuster ring.
6. Remove the inner locking for the joint stop as described
in steps 1 and 2 and t the splint to the respective foot as
described in steps 3 and 4. The correction angle can now be
adjusted on the tted splint (Fig. 6). If the foot is painful or
postoperative, the correction angle should not be adjusted
while the splint is tted to the foot.
7. To adjust the angle, engage the supplied adjuster chip (or a
suitable coin) in two slots on opposite sides and turn the ring
until the pointer shows the desired angle (Fig. 7).
8. To lock the adjusted angle, press the outer locking ring back
into the adjuster ring (Fig. 8) by locating the notch in the outer
locking ring over the pointer in the adjuster ring and pressing
the locking ring rmly until it clicks into place (Fig. 9).
Instructions for the orthopaedic technician
Joint locking after surgery or other indication
• To lock any movement in the splint joint, the locking ring
must be clicked in place. As supplied, the splint is locked in 0°
exion.
• Release the joint stop as described under steps 1. and 2.
• Before locking the joint in the desired position, undo the
straps and hold the splint in your hand. Locate the splint
laterally next to the respective metatarsophalangeal joint and
note this position.
• Now fold back the anterior pad on the medial side. You will
now see a toothed grating into which the internal locking
ring can click into place (Fig. 2). Adjust the desired angle of
exion and engage the locking ring in the toothed grating.
Ensure that the two lugs of the locking ring t into the locking
notches. The hallux valgus joint is now locked.
• Fold the pad back to its former position and re t the splint on
the patient.
• The splint can now be used in its locked setting.
• To release the lock after a few days, remove the internal locking
ring as described in steps 1 and 2 and, at the same time, check
the correctness of the varus/valgus angle.
• Finally, pull off the white release paper on the inside of the
anterior pad and press the pad against the toe shell. The pad
is now stuck to the toe shell. This prevents slippage of the toe
pad during movement.
Splayfoot pad
If necessary, the splint can be used in combination with a
splayfoot pad. In this case, select an adhesive pad that ensures
secure positioning inside the shoe.
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