GStirrups vs. Clark Socket Stirrups
Clark socket stirrups — the simple knee-crutch-and-post hardware that mounts into the socket on the end of countless OB/GYN exam tables — are about as basic and inexpensive as lithotomy positioning gets. For a healthy patient in a routine exam, they're fine. This page looks at where that simplicity runs out.
The core difference: passive support vs. full-leg support
Clark socket stirrups support the knee or foot at a single point; like candy cane stirrups, the patient's own leg muscles do most of the work of holding the rest of the leg in position. For patients with Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, essential tremor, or post-stroke weakness, that single point of support isn't enough — position drifts, and staff end up holding a leg in place manually.
GStirrups support the full leg along its length, so the device — not the patient's remaining muscle control — holds the position.
The economics
Clark socket stirrups are inexpensive, low-maintenance hardware that ships with or bolts onto many exam tables. GStirrups are $2,995 for a single unit (volume pricing to $2,500). The case for GStirrups isn't replacing every socket stirrup in the practice — it's equipping the rooms that serve patients whose conditions make single-point support unworkable. Eligible small businesses may recover up to 50% through the IRS Disabled Access Credit (Form 8826) — consult your accountant.
GStirrups vs. Clark socket stirrups at a glance
| Feature | GStirrups | Clark socket stirrups |
|---|---|---|
| Support style | Full-leg support | Single-point knee or foot support |
| Position held by | The device | Patient's leg muscles |
| Tremor / spasticity patients | Designed for them | Position drifts; staff reposition |
| Table compatibility | Standard exam tables | Tables with a Clark socket mount |
| Setup | Under 15 minutes | Usually preinstalled |
| Typical cost | $2,995 (volume to $2,500) | A few hundred dollars |
| IRS 8826 Disabled Access Credit | May qualify (consult accountant) | Unlikely to be a qualifying access improvement |
Where Clark socket stirrups win
- Upfront cost — dramatically cheaper
- Already mounted on most OB/GYN exam tables
- Perfectly adequate for healthy patients in routine exams
Frequently asked questions
- Should we replace all our Clark socket stirrups with GStirrups?
- Not necessarily. Most practices equip the rooms that regularly serve patients with tremors, Parkinson's, MS, or post-stroke weakness, and keep socket stirrups for routine, low-acuity exams.
- Do GStirrups mount into the same socket?
- GStirrups install on standard exam tables in under 15 minutes; confirm your specific table model with our team before ordering.
- Are Clark socket stirrups still commonly used?
- Yes — they remain common, inexpensive hardware on OB/GYN exam tables. The concern is specific: patients who cannot hold position against single-point support.
Keep exploring
- GStirrups vs. Ritter/Midmark stirrups
- GStirrups vs. candy cane stirrups
- Positioning patients with limited mobility
- IRS Form 8826 tax credit
Equip the rooms that need full-leg support
Buy a single unit online for $2,995, or request a 15-minute demo for your practice.