below knee suction socket

below knee suction socket

Abdo Haidar

7/15/2000

hi

i sent a question couple of weeks ago asking prosthetists their opinion
above below knee suction sockets; these are the responses I got:


1.Richard here, from Ossur.
Abdo, Ossur have an expulsion valve that is fitted into it's range of
socket locks. It lets the user alternate between pin suspension and
valve/sleeve suspension. This feature is quite good, I think, as the same
socket can be used for both suspension options.
Personally, I'm not sure I can identify the real differences between these,
other than the obvious addition of a knee sleeve when the valve option is
used

2.i have been very successful with the TEC system. I have not tried other
expulsion valves on BK's but have used Hypobaric valves on AK's

3.In my experience, suction bk sockets are the way to go. The main problem
I
have encountered is with the suspension sleeve. Noone seems to be able to
manufacture one that lasts more than six months without getting trashed.
I personally prefer the ESP valve, only because it can be installed after
the
fact, and very easily. ALPS is in the process of making one, however it
looks like a cigar butt. Sticks out approx one inch from the socket.
If I had to rate suction vs any of the above you mentioned, to me, there is
no better. Once you go suction, you will never return to a shuttlelock.
(Ever been paged in the middle of the night by someone who is stuck in their
leg?)
One word on socket design...If you use Alpha liners, and read their
literature, you will find they are more worried about their warranty and
liners than they are of your diabetic, thin skinned boney patients.
Please forward me the results of your inquiry.
Thanks,
Mike Rieth, CPO

4.Ya' know socket design is everything.
Whether you use anyone's valve it always seems to be reliability and weight.
Most all manufacturers valves work. If your in a managed care environment,
or
controlled cost world (which it seems to be everyone's case) then you have
to
live within some type of budget. Tec seems to have the cheapest valve, but
I
do not think it is maintenance friendly if it is buried in a endo, and your
have formed foam over the endo, or very durable if the neck of the connector
tube breaks off. So I am also checking out other manufactures. Many pros.
like Ohio Willow Wood, including my self. I am a big Tec User. But I still
do not like the weight of the liner; but love the comfort when you do the
cast under vacuum as they suggest. As for the sleeves I am now using
Ossur's
heavy duty sleeve. I think Ossur has a great system also, but I am paranoid
regarding the cost of redoing a carbon quick wrap socket if I or the
material
don't quite make it. I do think the Ossur system is a better system for
expediting fitting, and I still would use it when the case calls for it.
So basically I believe I am with the rest of the crowd to use what works
best
in the individual patient, and providing comfort and function.
What I would like to know is their anyone who has solved the problem of
sleeves, especially gel sleeves like the pro-link Tec, or Ossur tearing and
ripping over the patella contour causing suction failure.
Best Regards, Richard Feldman,CPO