Andante Medical Device, Inc.

The evaluation tool and progress that can be shown is also useful to the patient so that he
can see how he is improving and how much he still has to accomplish
We have been using the SmartStep gait evaluation system in our clinic for the past 2
years. Our clinic deals mainly with the disabled veteran population of Israel. We have
patients who suffer from orthopedic ailments such as ACL repairs, fractures, osteoarthritis,
low back pain, and multiple trauma. We also have patients with neurological impairments
such as spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, CRPS and CVA. The age of our patients
ranges from 18 to 90.

We use the SmartStep system on a wide variety of patients. We use the system as an
evaluation tool and to document the patient's progress. The treating physicians can get a
report including graphs and data with objective measurements of the patient's status. The
evaluation tool and progress that can be shown is also useful to the patient so that he can
see how he is improving and how much he still has to accomplish. We also use the
training aspect of the system with the biofeedback mechanism as an effective way for the
patient to understand what elements of the gait cycle need attention. The system is easy
to use and often we teach our patients how to set the system up themselves which
encourages their input and independent in the therapy setting.

We are waiting to acquire a second unit so that we can evaluate the gait of both legs
during the same gait cycle, which will give us a more accurate comparison between right
and left legs in gait.
Davidah Koseff, Physiotherapy Clinic Manager, Beit Halochem, Jerusalem, Israel.

Excellent tool for gait measurement which is also able to make it’s measurements during
everyday functional activities
I have been involved with the ‘Smartstep’ for the past six years. I liked the idea of a
small, accurate user-friendly device for gaining objective measures within the gait cycle.
I have always found Arik and his team to be extremely helpful and ready to listen to any
problems we have had in using the device in the early days. He then very quickly made
any modifications until today I think that he has an excellent tool for gait measurement
which is also able to make it’s measurements during everyday functional activities.
As well as using the Smartstep in my clinic as a measurement tool, I have also used it as
a measurement tool with Master’s students. Whilst on a visit to Melbourne University last
April I introduced the Smartstep to a colleague of mine, Professor Mary Galea. Professor
Galea is the Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation at the University of Melbourne. She was so
impressed by the Smartstep, that she subsequently purchased two units to add to her Gait
Laboratory.
Jackie Reznik, Consultant Neurophysiotherapist, B.App.Sci (Physio) MAPA. MCSP. Dip. TP. Dip.
Neurol Il

In over 20 years we are able to both accurately measure our patient's weight bearing
ability and follow up on their progress with repeated analysis
SmartStep has dramatically changed the level of professionalism and scientific data
evaluation in our patient population. For the first time in over 20 years of practice, we are
able to both accurately measure our patient's weight bearing ability as well as follow up on
their progress with repeated analysis. It is a must for every orthopedic and neurological
department!
Yonatan Kaplan, M.Sc (med) MAPA RPT, Jerusalem Sports Medicine Institute

The SmartStep system provides an effective treatment as physiotherapy can be carried
out in the patients home environment.
Appropriate loading onto the leg is an essential component for normal gait (Deitz 2002)
and for people following a stroke (Nugent ,1994). Other current gait analysis systems are
expensive, cumbersome and confined to a gait laboratory or physiotherapy clinic. Gait in
a laboratory is very different to natural walking in your everyday life. Thus for effective gait
rehabilitation, treatment should be carried out in the patients natural environment, such
as at home, whilst shopping or on a trek. The portable nature of the SmartStep facilitates
this effective treatment and collects relevant data over a long period of time.
Alieah Pantorin, RPT, Senior Instructor IBITA, International Bobath Instructor Training Association

The SmartStep shows gradual improvement of gait which enables the physiotherapist to
measure objective parameters of gait in the clinic.
I use the SmartStep system as an objective measurement to document the changes in
the gait of patients following a stroke. The system is user friendly and collects data
throughout a patient’s regular treatment session. This data can be used to compare the
individuals’ performance to their prior treatment sessions or to compare with other
patients following a stroke.

The SmartStep shows gradual improvement of gait which enables the physiotherapist to
measure objective parameters of gait in the clinic. This information is not only important
for academic purposes, but it can be used by the physiotherapist to plan the most
effective treatment.

In addition we use the audio and visual biofeedback component of SmartStep system
during gait practice to improve the patients walking pattern, symmetry and safety during
functional walking.
Professor Rutie Dickstein, Department of Physiotherapy, Haifa University

The device provides feedback for the patient and enable the therapist to compare
between different treatment sessions.
The SmartStep device was presented at an in-service meeting at Rambam Hospital. The
device collects data and provides feedback to the patient and the therapist whilst the
patient is walking. This information gathered is especially important for patients
undergoing gait rehabilitation, as the therapist can direct the treatment to the patients’
unique needs and allows the therapist to compare between different treatments, so the
patient and the therapist see the progress throughout the rehabilitation processes.
Ayala Parag, Head of physiotherapy Services – Ministry of Health, Former Manager of
Physiotherapy Services at Rambam Hospital

The SmartStep system offers the patient an objective measure about their weight
bearing status whilst standing and walking. The can be motivating and essential in
physiotherapy.
I use the SmartStep device with neurological and orthopedic patients. The prime
advantage is the instant feedback provided whilst a patient is walking which in turn obliges
them to correct how much weight they put through their toes and heel immediately whilst
walking, correcting their walking pattern. Using this device can reinforce long term motor
learning as it can be used in the patients' home environment for self practice. The
SmartStep an innovative device that is advancing gait rehabilitation.
Sarah Peleg, Physiotherapy Manager, Reut Medical Centre

There is no doubt that the SmartStep device is an important tool in physiotherapy. In my
opinion the SmartStep is fundamental to any physiotherapy clinic.
Until recently, there was not an effective safe and measurable way to apply doctors’
instructions following orthopedic surgery or a fracture. The instructions to limit the weight
over the leg are essential to allow for optimum bone healing. Most clients rely on the use
of a bathroom scale to measure the allowed weight over their leg. This has been shown to
be an ineffective method to teach partial weight bearing, especially in the elderly. The
SmartStep device is revolutionary in gait rehabilitation as it is a simple, safe and gives
relevant objective results. The device provides instant feedback that indicates whether the
patient has too much weight over their leg, to protect it from potential secondary damage.
This information is represented graphically for the patient, therapist and surgeon. The
SmartStep device encourages the patients to place more weight over their leg if necessary.
It can facilitate correction of asymmetric gait in a quick and exact manner. It also is a very
useful tool at the beginning stages of amputees gait rehabilitation with a prosthetic limb.
Erel Hershko MSc PT, Physiotherapy Manager, Beit Hadar – Centre for rehabilitation & Nursing Care

Testimonials