RESENT: HSubject: WaterLegs Responses 1

RESENT: HSubject: WaterLegs Responses 1

Stephan R Manucharian, CP

9/1/2000

I received many responses to the following inquiry:

Dear Members,
   > Please, assist me with the following:
   > Bilateral BK, 40 y/old, currently uses Alpha Locking liners, VSP-s.
   > He wants to have Swim prostheses with ActiveAnkles. He also would prefer
   > to keep the roll-on liner suspension. No preference as far as endo or
exo.
   > Cosmetic appearance is of no concern. I made quite a few swim/shower
   > prostheses -
   > hollow exo, PTB-SC, ActiveSleeve, CC2 foot. I also used ActiveAnkles but
   > many years ago (when they originally were introduced). Now, here are my
   > questions:
   > 1. Did anybody have experience using roll-on suction sockets for �water
   > prostheses�, if yes, then what kind of shuttle lock (I would speculate,
that
   > The Pin would work better, as there are fewer moving parts). Were there
   > corrosion problems etc?
   > 2. ActiveAnkle originally wasn�t very easy to operate, as the dial would
   get
   > stuck, because of sand, salt etc (even with the neoprene sleeve). I knoe
there
   > is at least one more design. Who makes it? What are your comments?
   > 3. If you choose endo design, what are your suggested components?
   > 4. Any suggestions how to bill for the ankle unit?

Here they are:

1. Coypte designs makes a non metalic shuttle lock. Even the pin is not
metal!
   Mark Benveniste CP

2. I have made several swim prostheses using the active
   ankle, Fillauer shuttle lock (most of it it plastic),
   and the Alpha liner system. I use a hollow exo design.

   I use Independent Prosthetic Service for fabrication
   because of the high quality of the finished product.
   There number is 407-649-7777. Speak with William Daniel.

   I hope this helps.

   Terry L. Hubner, CP

3. I have had good success using an Alpha type liner without a distal pin,
then
   use a one way valve and a suspension sleeve to form a double suction. I use
a
   hard socket with a distal pin. This all stays on the patient. Then I make
   another socket that is laminated over the original with a pin attachment.
   From this socket, I make duplicates so the patient has walking legs,
swimming
   legs, cycling legs. The patient never has to take off the first socket set

   up, his limbs never get wet, and he can change sockets in under 10 seconds.

   It works well.
   Yes, it is two hard sockets, the first for double suction, the second for
   support. The second socket is trimmed higher than the first to protect the

   suspension sleeve.


   Pete Abbott, C.P.

4. Check out the DryPro at www.drypro.com. I tested one (I am R-BK) a
   few years ago and in spite of a few minor problems, it worked fine.

   Glad to send you my long-winded comments on the gear.

   Wayne Renardson

5. Seattle Limbs used to have an all plastic shuttle system which should be
good
   for swimming. FLO-TECH makes the BB-d - a variable circumference
Transtibial
   socket system for attaching components of your choice and is highly
effective
   as a swimming limb.

   Bob Brown, Sr. CPO, FAAOP

6. I can only reply to part of your questions. I have a patient who is a BK,
   scuba diver. He uses an Iceross 2 color sleeve with pin and shuttle lock.
We
   have tried USMC, Fillauerand others all with the same result ... corrosion
   and replacing of the lock mechanism every 3-4 months. He uses a CC2 foot
   with heavy exo leg so he doesn't have to use as much weight to get the leg
   deep. Have suggested the Active ankle but he's happy with the leg as is
and
   is comfortable replacing the lock mechanism as needed.

   Ron Knip, CP, CPed


THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO PARTICIPATED
Stephan R. Manucharian, CP
Orthopedic Arts
Brooklyn Heights, NY


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