Firstkind Ltd is a subsidiary of Sky Medical technology Ltd. We are a UK based science-led medical devices company.
Through our innovative OnPulse™, technology, Firstkind scientists created a wearable neuromuscular electrostimulation device called the geko™. Through the non-painful stimulation of the peroneal nerve (nerve under the fibular head on side of the knee), geko™ creates the internal compression of the veins and causes your calf and foot muscles to contract. The increase in blood flow back to the heart mimics 60% of a patients normal walking when the device is on the patient leg in a bed or chair.
Post-operative swelling (edema) is known to occur in over 90% of hip and knee replacement patients1 with peak swelling occurring 6–8 days following surgery.2 In a similar way, swelling throughout the lower extremity could contribute to the decline in strength of hip extensors and abductors, shown to occur following THA and TKA and known to contribute to functional performance. Swelling may also alter functional recovery by contributing to factors such as limited joint mobility such as range of motion, leg stiffness, and increased tightness and pain in the leg after surgery.3
In a survey conducted with over 1,400 BoneSmart patients, swelling occurred in over 80% of responders with pain, numbness, and range of motion of the knee as the main issues in the recovery process. Over 69% of patients experienced swelling longer than 7 weeks. Swelling has been identified by patients as critical to successful recovery and health care providers including, nurses, physicians, and physical therapist are often consulted by patients regarding the expected trajectory and duration of swelling.4
The geko™ neuromuscular stimulator device is FDA approved and requires your physician’s prescription. It is approved for:
- Edema reduction
- Post-surgical prevention of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots)
- Increasing local blood circulation
- Non-surgical prevention of deep vein thrombosis ie; stroke, heart failure, infection patients
The geko™ is the size of a wrist-watch which adheres to the skin and is easy to use as a daily wearable and is worn on the operated leg for edema reduction. The device size makes it easy to walk around when you are first recovering from surgery in the hospital or at home. There is no need for wearing those uncomfortable, sometimes hard to use elastic stockings. If you are using geko™ to also prevent deep vein thrombosis(blood clot) then you need to wear a geko™ device on each leg. The geko™ also allows you to perform physical therapy exercises while still helping to reduce the swelling through your recovery process. If you are still having challenges with swelling after your surgery, geko can be used to treat the swelling as well.
The geko device can also be used for many other conditions related to swelling. Here are few examples:
- Any lower extremity surgeries such as ACLs, total ankles, etc.
- Swelling related to an arthritic hip or knee
- Ankle and knee sprains and strains
- Mild to moderate lymphedema
- Patients with chronic venous insufficiency
How do I get the geko™ device?
The geko™ device is only available with a prescription. Click the following button to find out what is needed to get your geko devices.
References:
1. Kluga, K., WeberBuchholz, S., & Semanik, P. A. (2019). Improving Orthopedic-Related Postoperative Edema Management in a Reha- bilitative Nursing Setting. Rehabilitation Nursing, 44(3), 151–160
2. Brian J. Loyd, Andrew J. Kittelson, Jeri Forster, Scott Stackhouse & Jennifer Stevens-Lapsley (2019) Development of a reference chart to monitor postoperative swelling following total knee arthroplasty, Disability and Rehabilitation, DOI:10.1080/09638288.2018.1534005
3. Loyd et al, The Knee 26 (2019) 382–391
4. Wainwright TW et al. A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Effective- ness of a Novel Neuromuscular Electro-stimulation Device in Preventing the Formation of Oedema Following Total Hip Replacement Surgery. Heliyon 18 Jul 2018- Volume 4, Issue 7