Do you have a distributor in my country?

   What if my MEDmetric® product needs repairs and/or calibration?

  What are the sources of measurement error?

  I misplaced my users manual, can I get one on-line?

What CPT Codes are used for KT1000/KT2000 Reimbursement?

  What is the difference between the KT1000 and the KT2000 Knee Ligament Arthrometer®?

Is there a Lease-to-Own Program for MEDmetric® products?

Basic Troubleshooting for the KT1000/KT2000™
 

How do I check the force tones of my KT1000/KT2000™

What tests are done with the Knee Ligament Arthrometer?
    *ABOVE LINK WILL TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO LOAD, PLEASE BE PATIENT*
The Knee Ligament ARTHROMETER^® in the Literature    Reference Material
    (Links to articles on-line included in the above link)
    The Accuracy And Reproducibility of the KT1000 Knee Ligament Arthrometer

How are MEDmetric® Products effected by the Year 2000?

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KT1000™ and KT2000™ assessment may be insurance reimbursable.  One code for KT1000/KT2000™ reimbursement is reported to be 97750 (Physical performance test or measurement). Another code is reported to be 95851 (Range of motion measurement and report).

Charges are in 15 minute increments; it has been reported that tests are billed for two increments (one for each knee, since both are measured). It has been suggested that a brief description of the KT test accompany billing to expedite processing.

We have not developed any sort of range of reimbursement for this new code. (Under the old fixed CPT codes, charges ranged from $35.00 to $65.00 for the KT1000™; $50.00 to $100.00 for the KT2000™).  Check with your billing or insurance people to determine what your practice might receive and what procedures would be prudent.

  Replace batteries:

To replace battery/batteries: Remove compartment cover.
The cover is on the plane of the KT that is closest to the patient's foot during testing. The plate is held by two fasteners.  On older KT1000s and KT2000s, the fasteners are black thumb screws.  New KT1000s and KT2000s use black snaps.  The KT1000/KT2000 is powered by 9 volt (“transistor radio”) batteries.  No special type, brand or grade is required.  New models need two batteries; older models use only one battery.

Check voltage setting
Make sure power setting is correct.  On the bottom of the plotter is a switch to determine the voltage (110v or 220v).  Make sure the setting is correct.

Disengage plotter shipping clamp:
Only KT2000s with “Allen” style plotters have clamps.  If your plotter is black, then it does not have a clamp. The clamp is in the upper left-hand corner of the plotter.  It is used only when the plotter is being shipped.  To disengage, bring clamp forward and pivot upward to prevent re-engaging.

Plotter fails to work with ARTHROMETER® but responds to “X” and “Y” control knobs.

Make sure KT2000 ARTHROMETER® is “on.”
The KT2000 has a specialized battery-saving feature that automatically shuts off the ARTHROMETER® after 40 seconds of inactivity. To re-activate the ARTHROMETER®, push on the force handle until you hear a posterior force tone.

Plotter fails to respond to either ARTHROMETER® or plotter controls.

Replace the fuse
 Find the knob that corresponds to power (110v/220v); turn it counterclockwise. The knob doubles as a cover for the fuse.  Replace the fuse with a GLG/6.3 F x32 mm fuse (specifications may vary; consult your X-Y plotter user's guide for complete information).

Pen fails to drop when “pen drop” button is pushed.

Check pen settings.
On the plotter is a pen setting.
“Allen” plotters have a lever that is marked “dn-pen-up load”.   The Allen lever must be set to “dn”.
 “NGI” (black) plotters have a switch that is marked "Off-chart-pen”.  To work with the ARTHROMETER®, NGI switch must be set to “chart.”

To Check Accuracy of the KT2000™ with x-y plotter:
The KT2000™ can readily be checked for accuracy by comparing the ARTHROMETER^® measurements with those recorded on the x-y plotter.
To Check for Force: After connecting the ARTHROMETER^® with the x-y plotter, place the ARTHROMETER® on a flat surface. Turn on the plotter and place standard MEDmetric^® KT2000™ patient evaluation form on the plotter easel. Push on the force handle to activate. Restrain the ARTHROMETER^® with one hand while pulling on the force handle with the other.  When the tone force enunciates at 15 pounds, quickly depress and release the thumb switch on the force handle. Do the same when it reaches 20 pounds, and 30 pounds.  Then push on the ARTHROMETER^®, depressing and releasing the thumb switch as each force tone sounds.
Standard MEDmetric^® patient evaluation forms, or plotter paper, is marked at one-pound increments.  The result of the above procedure should leave dots at 15, 20 and 30 pounds anteriorly and posteriorly (older KT2000™ enunciate posterior force tones at 20 pounds only).  Factory specifications call for the forces to be ±10% at any given load.
If your KT2000™ is not within factory specifications, it may need calibration at the factory. Contact MEDmetric^® for details.

Posterior Force Tones
If using a balance:

1. Set the weights at 15 lbs. greater than the weight of the KT
2. Push on the handle until the first tone is heard.
3. The scale should indicate 15 (± 1.5) lb.. [6.8 (± .68) kg].*
4. Set the weights at 20 lb.. greater than the weight of the KT.
5. Push the handle until the second force tone is heard.
6. The scale should indicate 20 (± 2.0) lb.. [9.1 (± .91) kg].
7. Set the weights at 30 lb.. greater than the weight of the KT.
8. Push the handle until the third force tone is heard.
9. The scale should indicate 30 (± 3.0) lb.. [13.7 (± 1.37) kg].

1. Zero the scale to adjust for the weight of the KT.
2. Push on the handle until the initial tone is heard.
3. The scale should indicate 15 (± 1.5) lb.. [6.8 (± .68) kg].*
4. Continue to push on the handle until the second force tone is heard.
5. The scale should indicate 20 (± 2.0) lb.. [9.1 (± .91) kg].
6. Continue to push on the handle until the third force tone is heard.
7. The scale should indicate 30 (± 3.0) lb.. [13.7 (± 1.37) kg].

A fish scale such as the G96 Mariner Model No. 2092 (available from sporting goods outlets) is suitable for this measurement.

1. Hold the instrument on a table or similar flat surface.
2. Hook the fish scale under the handle at the shaft. Restrain the instrument by placing one hand on top of ARTHROMETER® to provide counter force.
3. Apply upward force until the first force tone is heard.
4. The scale should indicate 15 (± 1.5) lb. [6.8 (± .68) kg].
5. Continue to apply anterior force until the second tone is heard.
6. The scale should indicate 20 (± 2.0) lb.. [9.1 (± .91) kg].
7. Continue to apply anterior force until the third tone is heard.
8. The scale should indicate 30 (± 3.0) lb.. [13.6 (± 1.4) kg].

 Several institutions have expressed concern regarding potential equipment malfunction related to the A.D. 2000 date change.  This so-called "Millennium" or "Y2K Bug" will not affect standard MEDmetric® products, since none of these relies on either a computer or  microprocessor.

Any computer or microprocessor application to MEDmetric® products is due
to modifications by the end user.

Sources of Measurement Error

Inconsistencies in measurements can occur from a number of sources: Force vector, rotation of the ARTHROMETER® or parallax. Among the reported sources of measurement error (and ways to correct them) are as follows. Sources of inconsistency unique to ACL testing procedures are above in the section about passive displacement testing.

1. Inadequate stabilization of the patella.  Stabilize patella by rotating limb to orient the patella anterior (superior pole of the patella pointing up). This may require a thigh strap. Support limb in sufficient knee flexion to engage patella in femoral trochlea. This may require elevating the thigh support. Apply constant pressure on the patella to seat it securely in the femoral trochlea.

2. Inadequate instrument stabilization.  Prevent the instrument from rotating during the test by using the patella stabilization hand to steady the instrument about the tibial axis. Keep the hand in contact with the thigh.

3. Incorrect placement of the ARTHROMETER®.  Confirm that the instrument joint line marker is on the joint line.

4. Patella or tibia sensor rail motion limited by ARTHROMETER® case.  Solution: Adjust the height of the patella sensor pad.

5. Inadequate patient relaxation.   Thigh muscles must be relaxed.

6. Incorrect direction of force application. Force application should be in line with the force handle.

7. Soft tissue displacement of the tibia sensor pad.  On rare occasions in an obese patient, while an anterior force is being applied the proximal Velcro strap will cause the subcutaneous fat to displace anteriorly and lift up the tibial sensor pad. Applying the proximal strap more distal may solve the problem.

8. Instrument malfunction.  Check calibration.

If your MEDmetric Product needs repair or calibration, send it to:

Please include an explanation of why we will be recieveing your product(s) as well as a contact name, phone number and mailing address. Thank you.

The KT2000 adds graphic documentation to the clinically proven reliability of the KT1000. With the X-Y plotter, the clinician can create unequivical, permanent records of knee stabilty for comparison throughout a patients rehabilitaiton.