Responses to amputee odor question

Responses to amputee odor question

A few days ago, I posted the following question on oandp-L:

An AKA client of mine, who has excellent hygienic habits, is annoyed by the
odor that he smells when he doffs his prosthesis. He remarked to me that I
could become a millionaire if I developed a spray to rid amputees of that
odor. I told him I'm not averse to becoming a millionaire, but perhaps
someone before me has figured out a home remedy for this problem, and I would
post this question on the oandp-L.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

David Hendricks, CPO, LPO
HOPE, Inc.
acebrace.com


Here are the responses I received:

1) I am not certified, but have been making my own A/K limbs for about ten
years now, and before I started wearing Surlyn flexible sockets (which give
me no odor problem) I used to brush on a thin coating of acrylic epoxy and
that stopped the order problem from the polyester hard sockets which I wore
at that time and was experiencing the same problem.

2) The deodorants designed for ostomy patients are very effective for cleaning
out sockets and suppressing further odor.

3) For many amputees who sweat in their Alpha liners we recommend
antiperspirant spray. Perhaps he could spray a deodorant on his skin, let it
dry, and then put it on. Laminated sockets are bad because the pores of the
material absorb the sweat. Try a plastic/Thermoflex liner.

(My friend once commented the name for such a product could be Stumpfunk
cologne.)

4) The solution to the odor depends primarily on the material the socket is
made of, which you did not mention. ALPS and others have lotions and
deodorant/disinfectant sprays available that your client could try.

If it is a laminated socket, the problem almost always is that the exposed
reinforcement fibers have wicked the body oils into the plastic and they are
fermenting there. In that case, no matter what you do the smell will return
as soon as he dons it again.

5) I have used a laundry product called Fabreze for bad odor problems. It
sounds like the person is using a suction socket, so I don't know if it would
react on the skin. Hope this helps.

BTW- I used my first ACE Brace last week! It was very easy to fit and well
tolerated by a little old lady who had her share of spinal braces in the
past. Congratulations on your decision to sell only to the O&P profession. I
plan to keep the ACE Brace in stock from now on.

6) If he is wearing a prosthetic sock, try the Comfort Anti Static Sock. It
was designed for this purpose. Please report back if it worked. Thanks

7) The products I'm using for all of my clients is ALUM. It is a natural
product and acts as an astringent, closing the skin pores where it is
applied, without doing any damage. Have used it under my arms for the past 3
years and do add some tea-tree oil in a liquid alum spray when anticipating
heavy perspiration. It helps to get rid of any unwanted odors. These
products are commonly found in Health Food stores.

8) A Scottsdale, Arizona-based company, called Deodorant Stones of America,
is my current wholesale supplier. Alum comes in a crystal, powder or liquid
form and is relatively inexpensive.

Another product that clients have used is sold by Melaleuca distributors, is
called Defend deodorant. It is also a 100% natural product and comes in a
more traditional stick and has melaleuca (tea tree oil) in it.

9) Try cleaning the offending insert regularly with a solution of bleach and
water, a 1-50 mixture. Rinse thoroughly. This works for my patients.

10) Fab Breeze (not sure on spelling) works for me a Symes.

11) When I worked for Hanger in Greenville, SC, I used to consult with
Shriners. Each Thursday in limb deficiency clinic we would see 60 -80
patients, many with poor hygiene. One day, Dr. Meyer, suggested to a
particularly bad smelling patient to use a spray of 10% Clorox and 90% water
to wash out his prosthesis and liner. I couldn't believe the difference and
how quick it eliminated long-standing odor.

Perspiration is acidic and Clorox is basic, so the spray neutralizes the
acidic build up and smell of perspiration. I would even suggest a 20% Clorox
to 80% water mix if the odor is bad enough.

12) Cascade Orthopedic Supply will have a new product available soon that
effectively addresses this specific problem.

13) Otto Bock has a skin and hygiene maintenance system called DERMA.

14) An amputee friend of mine applies the 453H10 Derma Clean spray inside his
prosthetic socket
when he doffs his prosthesis, and lets it sit overnight. A quick wipe with a
dry cloth in the morning is all that is need to prepare for donning.