Responses: AK Flexible Socket Material.

Responses: AK Flexible Socket Material.

Chet X Burdette

3/5/2001

Original Post:
In the area where I practice we often start out new transfemoral amputees
on temporary prostheses with suction suspension and flexible sockets.
The theory being that the flexible socket will optimize comfort and the
suction fit will optimize proprioception and overall function of the
prosthesis. The tight suction fit will allow the patient to use the
prosthesis for a longer period of time before it becomes too large to
properly manage the fit with socks.
In a matter of weeks the patient almost always shrinks down to a point
that the prosthesis will no longer suspend by total suction alone. It is
at this point we start using a sock fit, until the patients' limb volume
stabilizes or the fit degrades (due to changes in the limb) to a point
justifying prescription of the definitive prosthesis . The problem is,
the flexible socket material we use (proflex w/silicon) is not slick
enough to allow the patient to easily slide in with a sock on. Materials
like Proflex and Bioelastic create too much friction with the fabric of
the sock and you start having problems like adductor rolls, etc.

Is there any flexible socket material that works better with socks?
(Other than polyethelene which I despise) Any suggestions are
appreciated. I'd be interested in hearing how other practitioners start
off a new transfemoral amputees that have yet to achieve a stable limb
volume despite shrinker wear etc.
Chet Burdette CPO
Mountain State Prosthetics LLC.
Charleston, WV
__________________
Responses:

Chet,

Have you tried using surlyn? 336 765 2425

Sasha
_______

Chet,

Laminate a flexible liner. You can regulate the flexibility and maintain
a
slick surface. If you really want to get exotic, laminate the proximal
brim
with a high concentration of flexible and then go back and use rigid
distally
for knee attachment. This results in a single wall socket with flexible
brim, and again the slick inner surface. Good luck.

Jim Price, MEd, CPO
_________

>The problem is,
>the flexible socket material we use (proflex w/silicon) is not slick
>enough to allow the patient to easily slide in with a sock on.
Materials
>like Proflex and Bioelastic create too much friction with the fabric of
>the sock and you start having problems like adductor rolls, etc.
>
>Is there any flexible socket material that works better with socks?

We're using the exact same material but in cases of shrinkage where we
cannot make ongoing adjustments to maintain skin suction, we supply the
amputee with an Alpha Liner, Alps Liner or Aegis Liner. The latter two
require alcohol or lubricant for donning. The use of roll-on liners also
acts as a shrinking system superior to the cloth/elastic shrinkers.
Tony van der Waarde CP(c)
Award Prosthetics
<URL Redacted>
______________
Chet,
I specifically don't use a suction suspension for precisely the reason
you
stated. Wearers lose volume quickly. I use a pin liner with auxilliary
belt
of some sort and leave it to the pt to decide when he needs the belt the
most.
Mark Benveniste CP
_____________

Try spraying inside the proflex socket with a food grade silicon spray.
This makes it quite slippery. Give a can to the user and have them spray
it every day or so. Hope this helps.

John
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