Summary of responses, suspension liners addendum

Summary of responses, suspension liners addendum

Braceon CPO

Sorry, the original question was deleted from the summary......

>>>>Some feedback from fellow practitioners.
Contrary to Ohio Willow Wood's recommendation for casting, and model
rectification for the Alpha liner, has anyone had experience pressure casting
with the Alpha liner?

If so, what were the results? Did the combination of total surface bearing
and hydrostatic design using the Alpha liner produce a more uniform,
consistent socket fit, or because of the distal elongation, is this
technique a definite no-no with the Alpha? <<<<<
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We have pressure casted (using Icex caster) over Alpha liners for 400-500
BKs. We cast @ 80 mm hg. The cast is then rectified using CAD. The distal
circumferences are always way undersized and are brought back to proper
tensions. This would be difficult to do in plaster. They fit with a nylon
hose or 1 ply sock 90% of the time.
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 have not had the need to perssure cast with any liner since liners
have been introduced into the market and I don't think I have had more
than 2 or 3 re-do's which could have been for a variety of reasons. I do
an elastic wrap followed by a rigid and I do minimal modifications. My
bk's and ak's work out fine. Good luck.
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One practioner I know of casts using a 2-stage casting technique and then puts
the alpha on the mold. He heats it to conform to the shape and then casts
over
the Alpha and the model and removes the 10% from that so he gets more of a
custom
shape.
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We do it all the time with Alpha liners......actually its the only way we
cast. Put on the correct liner....a plastic bag to protect it.....a sheath
to draw on....then wrap with 3 layers of extra fast plaster.....then another
plastic bag over the plaster to keep your bladder clean....then we use the
hand held bladder with distal cup.....attatch to pin...pull to 4 pounds
elongation....roll on bladder ....inflate to 120 psi.....wait to dry...your
done! Tell me what you think?
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I have personally found that casting and modifying the residual limb
conventionally (using 3-part technique) then laying up a check socket over
the liner of choice is a preferable way to go. Vendors have been very good
about providing factory seconds for this purpose. I'll be glad to provide
further details if you're interested.
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I have been using the Iceross Icex casting procedure for about 3yrs.
I have used the procedure with alpha liners, Comfort liners, both liners
work well with the procedure. Liners that have larger or smaller distal
attachment plate can be a problem. TEC liners will migrate distally creating
a gap between the distal end of the residual limb and the liner. Ouch!
hematoma. Silipos liner distal attachement plate to large will not match up
with the iceross braid or distal puck. I find that the Icex procedure saves
me a lot of time. No
cast modifications , no lamination time , no smell etc. Patients in office at
9:00 am Walking out of office at 11:00 am.The pressure casting system has
worked well for
me and my patients. hope this helps. Of course its like anything its not
a100%
deal but how about 90%?
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