Responses; AK water leg.

Responses; AK water leg.

Thanks to all who responded.

Tony Korjagin also sent me a compilation of replies to various similar posts
to this LISTSERV. It's too big to post here but if anyone wants a copy just
E-mail me and I'll forward it.

My original post:

I am looking for components for an AK water leg. They are for a young lady
who enjoys boating, jet-skiing, etc. The socket and suspension system is not
an issue, we are interested in the type of components available; knees,
pylons, etc. If you have experience with these types of components we would
appreciate your input.
Thanks in advance,
Eddie White, CP
Beacon P&O

Responses:
The knee component I have had the most success with in water sports is the
USMC
Mark V multi-plex unit with a Mauch SNS or CaTech unit. I favor hydraulic
units
for active amputees. I don't have much experience with the other knee units
available for the Mark V system. I have a transfemoral amputee who windsurfs
(in
the Chesapeake Bay) and he is on the USMC Prosport Multi-plex unit, Mauch SNS,
and Pathfinder foot. He is very good about cleaning, lubricating and overall
maintenance (he's an engineer at NASA.) He was previously fit with the DAW
graphite system (TK-1H00) with Mauch SNS and a CCII high performance foot. He
tried a Flex-Foot Reflex VSP but tore it up very quickly.The bearings in the
DAW
knee do not like sand or constant exposure to salt water and had to be
replaced
frequently. I have several other transfemoral amputees who enjoy surf fishing
and have been changed to the USMC knees also.

My challenges are the fact that all the amputees want the prosthesis to be as
versatile as possible so they also use their water leg as their every day
leg.
The reason I like the USMC knee components is because it is very easy to
maintain, fairly lightweight, very durable and extremely functional. The
nyliners are easily replaced and inexpensive. The components are excessible
for
the patient to be able to clean and wash off after a day at the beach. Their
are
many choices for foot components, Pathfinder, CCII, Springlite (drill holes in
the foot shells for the water to drain out), Flex-Foot, Seattle foot,
Kinglsley
Beachcomber, and so on. We leave all of our sport legs unfinished, no ifs,
ands, or buts about it.
***********
I know the pathfinder is supposed to be ok for water. I would love to hear
what you get back on this.
************
The only water AK components (true water) I know of are from
Julie Devices
Redmond, Oregon

I have used both models and like both.
I do not have the phone number at this time but it is in the book
Check under Alin Aulie.
*************
look at the aulie 510 water proof knee
you can contact them at
aulie device
redmond, OR
541-548-7355
*************
Use the Aulie knee, Active Ankle and Kingsley Wayfarer foot ( part # 1k10
I think). The Aulie knee is a plastic poly centric knee with a 160lb.
weight limit, and is available with a manual lock. The metal parts are
stainless steel. I use the Active Ankle because it can be locked in
plantar flexion or at 90 degrees and it can be unlocked to allow free
motion when skiing or using a jet ski. I frequently use Ferrier Couplers
(part # A-5) to allow the patient to quickly interchange feet/knees. I
have even had patients attach the Active Ankle/foot directly to the
Ferrier Coupler of the socket so that the lever arm is not as long when
they swim. By having a Ferrier Coupler above the knee joint and above the
Active Ankle, the knee joint can be removed in seconds. I hope this helps
you.
***************
Thanks again to all who responded,
Eddie