composite O&P devices and patient skin reactions

composite O&P devices and patient skin reactions

Adrian Polliack

11/13/1998

We are in the process of clinical trials with myelomeningocele children who
are test-wearing prepreg AFOs that our COs have fabricated. In doing so,
we are particularly concerned about skin or respiritory sensitivity to
laminated composites, both in patient handling and use:

- Have any of you had any experience with your patients (or yourselves)
developing skin reactions, latex-type sensitivity or allergic response in
using wet lay-up O&P devices (sockets, feet, AFOs, KAFOs, etc...)?

- Specifically to those of you who have worked with myelo children, have
you experienced any skin issues with this population group who often
hyperallergenic responses to latex

- Are there any hard-n-fast tests, eg patch tests, that we could employ to
pre-test a myelo child before AFO use?


Any info on these issues will be helpful. Thanks

Kindly,
Adrian Polliack

___________________________

Adrian A. Polliack, Ph.D.
Rancho Rehabilitation Engineering Program
email: <Email Address Redacted>
website: www.ranchorep.org
tel: 562 401 7994
fax: 562 803 6117

Adjunct Asst Professor
Dept of Biomedical Engineering
University of Southern California
tel: 213 740 7237 (tel)
fax: 213 740-0343 (fax)