SACH & Newer Componentry-Experienced perspective
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Title:
SACH & Newer Componentry-Experienced perspective
Text:
Colleagues-This is posted with permission from Jan Stokosa
-Mark Benveniste CP
To Mark and Ian
I like your personal experience story of progressive imrovement. How true
this is. In my effort to help the amputee, I have, for thirty some years
now, suggetsted that each person test various components - be they foot,
ankle, shin, knee, hip - and in combination, to determine the greatest
functional return. This came to be one day when a below-knee amputee I was
fitting asked if he could test the Multiaxial Foot/Ankle by Otto Bock. In
all my reading and theoretical training, the rule was to use a S.A.C.H. I
found myself unable to provide sufficient reason not to. The result was
amazing! This man commented that it was easier to walk, more natural, and
seemed to have less shock to his residual-limb. From that point on I listen
to the person I am fitting, encourage each to offer input on all aspects of
the fitting process - with great success. Your story reminded me of that
and how today it is very difficult for a Prosthetist - let alone a
Physician - to Prescribe a foot, ankle, or knee for a particular amputee
beyond level 1 function. Although time consumming, the return is
worthwhile. I thank you for your comments. By-the-way, I have a few
women who each have two or three prostheses (to accommodate various heel
heights and activities) who swear by the ol' SACH foot. Modified, of
course, but still, a SACH foot. Each tested many available prosthetic foot
and ankle components, and chose the one she felt was most stable, and
functional. You made your point as one of relevance and I and many
colleagues agree. And we ought to allow each amputee the opportunity to
test and compare for her or his own functional best, what do you think?
Please accept this as a very positive response to your comments.
Yours in Health & Prosthetics - Jan Stokosa,C.P.
-Mark Benveniste CP
To Mark and Ian
I like your personal experience story of progressive imrovement. How true
this is. In my effort to help the amputee, I have, for thirty some years
now, suggetsted that each person test various components - be they foot,
ankle, shin, knee, hip - and in combination, to determine the greatest
functional return. This came to be one day when a below-knee amputee I was
fitting asked if he could test the Multiaxial Foot/Ankle by Otto Bock. In
all my reading and theoretical training, the rule was to use a S.A.C.H. I
found myself unable to provide sufficient reason not to. The result was
amazing! This man commented that it was easier to walk, more natural, and
seemed to have less shock to his residual-limb. From that point on I listen
to the person I am fitting, encourage each to offer input on all aspects of
the fitting process - with great success. Your story reminded me of that
and how today it is very difficult for a Prosthetist - let alone a
Physician - to Prescribe a foot, ankle, or knee for a particular amputee
beyond level 1 function. Although time consumming, the return is
worthwhile. I thank you for your comments. By-the-way, I have a few
women who each have two or three prostheses (to accommodate various heel
heights and activities) who swear by the ol' SACH foot. Modified, of
course, but still, a SACH foot. Each tested many available prosthetic foot
and ankle components, and chose the one she felt was most stable, and
functional. You made your point as one of relevance and I and many
colleagues agree. And we ought to allow each amputee the opportunity to
test and compare for her or his own functional best, what do you think?
Please accept this as a very positive response to your comments.
Yours in Health & Prosthetics - Jan Stokosa,C.P.
Citation
“SACH & Newer Componentry-Experienced perspective,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/213164.
