Stephanie - Walking stick Vermeiren - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL Stephanie Vermeiren

Medical-style walking cane with adjustable handle and base (no text or symbols visible)

EN

Instructions for specialist dealer

This instruction manual is part and parcel of the product and must accompany every product sold.

Version: E, 2020-04

FR

All rights reserved, including translation.

No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form what so ever (print, photocopy, microfilm or any other process) without written permission of the publisher, or processed, duplicated or distributed by using electronic systems.

1 Preface....1
2 Your product....1
3 Before use....1
4 Adjustments....2
5 Using your crutches....2
6 Maintenance....3
7 Technical details....3

1 Preface

First of all we wish to thank you for the trust you place in us by selecting a VERMEIREN product.

Before using the elbow crutches, read the instruction manual carefully: it will familiarise you with this product.

If you still have questions after reading this manual, do not hesitate to contact your specialist dealer. He/she will be glad to help you.

Important note

To ensure your safety and to prolong the lifetime of your product, please take good care of it and have it checked and serviced on a regular basis.

This manual reflects the latest product developments. Vermeiren has the right to implement changes to this type of product without any obligation to adapt or replace similar products previously delivered.

Pictures of the product are used to clarify the instructions in this manual. Details of the depicted product may deviate from your product.

Information available

On our website, www.vermeiren.com, you will always find the most recent version of the information in this manual. Please consult this website regularly for possible updates.

Visually impaired people can download the electronic version of this manual and have it read out by means of a text-to-speech software application.

2 Your product

2 3 1 4 5

1. Handgrip
2. Elbow support
3. Reflector
4. Frame
5. Tip

3 Before use

3.1 Upon delivery

Unpack your product and verify if the delivery is complete. Following items should be included:

• 2 elbow crutches (ordered as set)
• 1 elbow crutch (ordered separate)
- Manual

Verify your product for transport damage. If you find any damages after delivery, contact the transporter.

3.2 Intended use

CAUTION

Risk of falling

Do not use the elbow crutch(es) if you have weak arm/hand function, weak wrist joint function or balance problems.

An elbow crutch gives the user support while walking. This support can be useful in case of a fractured leg, rehabilitation after surgery, balance problems or pain when walking.

The max. user weight of the product is 130 kg.

The elbow crutch can be used indoor and outdoor, separate or as a set on both sides.

Make sure that you do not slip when using the crutch(es) on wet surfaces.

3.3 Safety instructions

• Note that you use your elbow crutches on a good surface. (Not with too many gravel).
• Be extra careful on a wet / slippery ground.
• Before every usage, check if the elbow crutch is adjusted in the correct height.
• Check that the spring pins for the height adjustment are clicked into place.
• Do not place the crutches too far from your body to avoid risk of falling.
• Do not use the elbow crutches as a toy.
• Do not hold the handgrips with wet hands. If you do so, you can lose your grip and lose your balance.
• Do not take too big steps with the elbow crutches.
• Risk of burns – Be careful when using in hot or cold environments (sunshine, extreme cold, saunas, etc.) for a sufficient amount of time and when touching. Surfaces can assume the environment temperatures.
• Take note of the instructions for care and service. The manufacturer is not liable for damage caused by improper servicing/care.

3.4 Explanation of symbols

Maximum mass

Indoor and outdoor use

CE conformity

Read instruction manual before use

Observe the safety instructions

3.5 Shipping and storage

Make sure that the crutch is stored dry.

Provide sufficient covering or packaging to protect the crutch from rust and foreign bodies (e.g. salt water, sea air, sand, dust).

Make sure no objects are stored on or against the crutch to prevent damage.

4 Adjustments

4.1 Height adjustment

CAUTION

Risk of falling

• Ensure that both crutches are placed to the same height.
• Check that the spring pins are clicked into place.

Before using the crutch, you must adjust them to the correct height.

Adjust the height of the crutch(es) according to the following instructions:

1. Press the spring pin of the crutch.
2. Adjust the crutch to the desired height. Ensure that your wrist is at the same height of the handgrip when you leave your arms hanging loose next your body. Ensure that your body is in an upright position.
3. Check that the spring pin is clicked into place.
4. Adjust the other crutch according to the same instructions and to the same height (when used as a set).

5 Using your crutches

5.1 Walking

CAUTION

Risk of falling

Do not place the crutches too far to the front.

Follow the advice of your doctor or physiotherapist about how to walk with the crutches. When you didn't receive any advice, you can use the instructions below:

• Always walk upright with the crutch(es) right next to your body.
• Never place the crutch further than your front leg while walking.
• Be careful with wet/slippery underground.
• When you need just 1 crutch, hold the crutch on the side of your unaffected leg. Place your affected leg forward simultaneously with the crutch.
• When you need 2 crutches and you can not lean on the affected leg, move the crutches to the front and then move your

unaffected leg. Be careful you do not place the crutches too far to the front.

- When you need 2 crutches and you can lean on the affected leg, move the right crutch and left leg simultaneously to the front, and the right leg with the left crutch.

5.2 Walking on stairs

When there is a banister available, you can use it as support and use the crutch on the other side. Ensure that the banister is on the unaffected side of your body, if possible. Lean on the banister and place the crutch on the first step. Place your unaffected leg on the first step and put your affected leg beside them.

6 Maintenance

6.1 Cleaning

Use a soft, damp cloth and lukewarm water with a mild household soap to clean the crutch. Avoid soaking. Do not use abrasive cleaning agents to clean.

6.2 Disinfection

CAUTION

Risk of damage

Disinfections may only be undertaken by trained persons. Consult your specialist dealer.

Use a soft, damp cloth and lukewarm water with a mild household disinfectant to clean the crutch.

6.3 Inspection / Service / Repairs

The expected service life of your crutch is 5 years. The lifespan is influenced by use, storage, maintenance, service and cleaning.

Before you resume use of the crutch, it should be inspected on following points:

• Completeness.
• Frame (deformation, stability, connections).

• Handgrip (safe locking of height adjustment system, good support of handgrip).

• Varnish (undamaged; remove rust and repaint).

• Tip (present and undamaged; replace if necessary).

Every 8 weeks:

Turn the tip a quarter turn. This reduces the wear and tear in one place.

We recommend to have your crutch inspected at least once a year, but the service frequency depends on the frequency and intensity of use. Consult your specialist dealer to make an agreement on service frequency.

Repairs and replacements may only be undertaken by trained persons, and only genuine replacement parts of Vermeiren should be used. Do not hesitate to use the services offered by your specialist dealer. He/she will be glad to assist you regarding any service and repairs.

6.4 Reuse

Before each reuse, have the crutch disinfected, inspected and serviced according to the instructions in §6.2 and §6.3.

6.5 Disposal at end of life

At end of life, you need to dispose your crutch according to the local environmental legislation. The best way to do so, is to disassemble the crutch to facilitate the transport of recyclable parts.

7 Technical details

CAUTION

Risk of unsafe settings

Use only the settings described in this manual.

Brand	Vermeiren
Address	Vermeirenplein 1/15, B-2920 Kalmthout
Type	Elbow crutch
Model	Stephanie
Width	155 mm
Total height	940 mm – 1170 mm
Height handgrip	745 mm – 975 mm
Distance handgrip - elbow support	225 mm
Weight	0,55 kg / piece
Max. user weight	max. 130 kg
We reserve the right to introduce technical changes. Measurement tolerance +/- 15 mm / 1,5 kg

Table des matières

Table des matières .... 1

If you still have questions after reading this manual, do not hesitate to contact your specialist dealer. He/she will be glad to help you.

Nota importante

Risk of unsafe settings

Use only the settings described in this manual.

Service registration form

This product (name): ....

was inspected (I), serviced (S), repaired (R) or disinfected (D):

By (stamp):Kind of work: I / S / R / DDate:	By (stamp):Kind of work: I / S / R / DDate:	By (stamp):Kind of work: I / S / R / DDate:
By (stamp):Kind of work: I / S / R / DDate:	By (stamp):Kind of work: I / S / R / DDate:	By (stamp):Kind of work: I / S / R / DDate:
By (stamp):Kind of work: I / S / R / DDate:	By (stamp):Kind of work: I / S / R / DDate:	By (stamp):Kind of world: I / S / R / DDate:
By (stamp):Kind of work: I / S / R / DDate:	By (stamp):Kind of work: I / S / R / DDate:	By (stamp):Kind of work: I / S / R / DDate:
By (stamp):Kind of work: I / S / R / DDate:	By (stamp):Kind of work: I / S /R / DDate:	By (stamp):Kind of work: I / S / R / DDate:
By (stamp):Kind of work: I / S / R / DDate:	By (stamp):Kind of work: I / S / R / DDate:	By (stamp):Kind of work: I / S / R / DDate:

Vermeiren GROUP NV

Vermeirenplein 1 / 15

2920 Kalmthout

BE

website: www.vermeiren.com