Firstkind Ltd is a subsidiary of Sky Medical technology Ltd. We are a UK based science-led medical devices company.
Through our innovative mechanism of non-invasive neuromuscular electrostimulation we have developed a ground-breaking NMES technology platform, OnPulse™, embedded in our industry-leading brand, the geko™ device.
Post-operative 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 TKA and known to contribute to functional performance. Swelling may also alter functional recovery by contributing to factors such as limited joint mobility and increased pain.3
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 blood clot prevention
- Increasing local blood circulation
- Non-surgical blood clot prevention 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.
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
