How does the GHS work?
Helping patients comfortably and safely learn to walk again
How does the GHS work?
A solution-focused combination like no other
Precision Engineered
The System combines a patented supportive, secure Gait Harness with the joint uses and features of a patented all-in-one standing and walking frame.
Second Step GHS technology puts it in premiere group of ambulatory devices, unique in concept, design and construction.
No other System provides the same combination of therapeutic effectiveness, cost effectiveness, esthetic design, durability, features, safety and ease of use.
Stand, Rest & Walk with Security
Fall Prevention & Safety
The GHS provides fall prevention and support to accommodate a wide range of disabling conditions, allowing patients to exercise, stand and walk again according to their conditions and abilities.
The System is designed to eliminate the risk of injury to caregiver, practitioner, and patient during ambulation.
The GHS simplifies ambulation, even for patients with severe disabilities.
At the center of it all: Second Step Gait Harness
The Gait Harness
The Gait Harness was designed as a safe patient transfer assist, reducing risk of injury to caregiver and patient.
- Gait Harness can be donned while the patient is supine, standing, or seated
- Harness is padded to protect muscles, soft tissue and bony prominences
- Harness design ensures the patient’s sensitive pressure points (notably groin and peri-area) are free from compression
- Harness provides thoracic support combined with pelvic and hip support, steadying the upper portion of the body
- Harness helps maintain proper body alignment and balance
Why is the Gait Harness important?
Stability & Control
The Gait Harness allows the caregiver, practitioner, and patient the ability to control the amount of stability the patient needs to perform standing, forward, backward and lateral gait activities.
- The Gait Harness provides a more natural, padded, pliable, snug, and secure trunk support, without rigid, restrictive, or uncomfortable bracing
- Safety, comfort and full support are the key focus points of Harness design
- Hand holds around the trunk level of the Harness keep caregiver and patient more properly positioned as the patient is assisted to a standing position
- The Gait Harness is designed to support the patient in a more natural, well-fitted and streamlined way
The GHS ambulator frame
Reducing the Fear of Falling
The GHS combination standing and walking frame is prudently designed and engineered to provide mechanically supportive ambulatory therapy to patients working through rehabilitation.
The System enables the patient to support themselves while regaining mobility and drastically reducing fear of falling or other inconvenience.
The GHS moves as an extension of the patient, following their lead in practitioner or caregiver guided activities.
The base frame and forearm support top configuration is simple and straightforward, with no complex or delicate mechanical assemblies, or fragile parts to break.
- Adjustable support straps connect to the Gait Harness and secure the patient within the GHS frame
- Downward pressure on the straps (achieved when patient takes weight off feet) will transfer to the frame and engage the automatic brakes
- Front padded bumper prevents damage to walls and furniture and provides the patient a place to rest their feet
- The patient is less restricted in the GHS
Blending Support & Security
- Gait Harness is used to lift, transfer and support the patient
- Harness helps balance patient within the GHS support and provides relief from skin pressure and breakdown
- GHS accommodates patient transfers to and from hospital bedside, mat table, wheelchair, powerchair, or seated surface
- Patient is supported in the Harness, connected mechanically within the ambulator via four adjustable support straps
- The patient’s body positioning in the GHS promotes proper posture and maximum outcomes for the patient
- Allows practitioner, caregiver, and patient more active participation in patient’s rehab and recovery
- Therapists/caregivers have access to the patient’s major focus points
- Because patients are secure in the Gait Harness support within the GHS, they are better able to focus on standing and walking
More Major Benefits of the Gait Harness System
Safe & efficient transfers & ambulation
- The System delivers a safe, efficient training and treatment environment which is unique, offering practitioner and patient a functional and effective way of restoring independent partial or full weight bearing activities
- A patient may progress from partial weight bearing supported ambulation to virtually independent ambulation with the GHS
- The GHS dramatically improves rehabilitative therapy options for patients experiencing gait and balance disorders
- The System provides a quick release system to access the patient in case of emergency
Stable & durable
- All Second Step products are 100% US made, manufactured and assembled
- GHS frame provides extra stability for patients with unsteady gaits, or those who tend to lean in any direction
- Entire device is constructed for heavy duty performance
- Moving parts are shielded by the frame
- GHS is comprised of a stainless-steel frame and patient contact areas are padded
- Frame will support a patient up to 375 lb.
- GHS makes exercise for large or heavy patients easier on both patients and caregivers
- Forearm support top adjusts vertically for patients of different heights, up to a max height of 6’7”
Two braking systems
The GHS is the only System which has an additional security feature of a client-controlled, automatic weight-activated braking system, bringing the patient to a gentle and complete halt if they stumble or need a rest break.
- Patients can rest when fatigued without therapist intervention
- When patient is ready to walk, he or she stands, and the automatic brakes disengage
- GHS also has two manual foot-actuated, red “brake” casters, controlled by the caregiver or practitioner
- Brake casters are engaged during transfers, and if the patient is using the GHS as a stationary standing frame
Multi-directional steering system
Additionally, GHS multi-directional, foot-actuated casters provide effortless mobility throughout.
- GHS supports dynamic movement, with options of selecting between linear/locked in-line or free movement
- Caregiver or practitioner may lock the two green “steer” multi-directional casters to restrict movement to an inline, linear direction
- Locking steering casters helps patients learn to walk again in a straight line and eliminate sideways drift
Easy to use
The System is easy to use for patients, caregivers, and practitioners.
- The GHS is safe and easy to enter as well as exit from bedside, mat table, wheelchair, seated surface, or standing position
- Because the System is easy to maneuver, the patient can glide along freely
- Practitioner and patient do not have to wrestle with awkward, heavy, or cumbersome equipment
Allows patient to be challenged according to abilities
The GHS provides practitioner and caregiver the ability to challenge the patient in a safe environment while reducing the number of “hands” required to assist the patient.
- GHS allows therapy to begin at an earlier stage in the recovery process, so patients who would otherwise be bed-ridden or wheelchair-bound have an opportunity for exercise
- Patients may progress at their own speed and according to their abilities, over time
- Patients do not need to have full trunk control and/or upper extremity control to use the GHS
- GHS offers opportunities for improved social and behavioral functioning and increasing mental and physical vigor for those with diminished mobility
- GHS fully supports the patient, even if he/she lacks a strong grip or strength in the upper torso
- When the patient is at rest, the GHS provides support, allowing patient to reduce weight on the legs
- Patients are safe to place progressively more weight on their legs, thus gaining strength and encouraging them to regain independence
- Therapist can safely train the patient in all phases of dynamic balance retraining
Combined therapy options
The GHS allows ADL and OT activities to be practiced in real-world home and community environments.
- Can pull/walk up to a sink, table or countertop to perform ADLs and other functional activities
- Allows the completion of safe ADLs (grooming and dressing simulation, meal preparation, laundry tasks and other community reentry tasks) without usage of a gait belt or other therapy equipment
- Patient can be assisted by fewer caregivers/therapists, with a more hands-free environment
- GHS works exceptionally well with electrical stimulation therapies, orthotics, prosthetics, supportive or bracing accessories, and AFOs and KAFOs, especially bracing built with stance control knees
- Conjoined use of simultaneous multiple therapies with the GHS distinguish it from other, less adaptable equipment
- Allows practitioners or caregiver to assist patients with therapies they could not otherwise do
- Can be used in indoors and in select outdoor enriched environments
You have a choice to make
We understand you can choose what therapy equipment to acquire , and what action plan to make to move your standing and walking again rehabilitation forward.
The GHS allows the patient to increase their level of functioning and perform greater movement than they could perform safely without the GHS’s support during overground training.
People working through a wide variety of standing and walking again challenges experience stronger, faster recoveries, and better psychological and physical health using the GHS.
Visit the following pages for more information on the Gait Harness System.
Contact Us Today
We are here to help you
For personalized attention, please call or email us today. We will take the time to answer all your questions about how the Gait Harness System is helping people walk again, and whether it could be right for you.
We will do our best to respond to your request within 24 hours, or on the next business day. All information you provide is strictly confidential and will never be sold or shared with any other person, entity or organization. See our Privacy Policy.
Office hours
Monday – Thursday
9:00 am – 5:00 pm ET
Friday
9:00 am – 3:00 pm ET
Sales Office and Support
P.O. Box 565
Anna Maria, FL 34216-0565
Phone: 941.567.4200
Toll Free: 877.299.STEP (7837)
Fax: 877.299.5428
