responses to Total Concept foot cosmesis
Hill, Geoff
Description
Collection
Title:
responses to Total Concept foot cosmesis
Creator:
Hill, Geoff
Date:
2/24/2002
Text:
Original message:
Dear List,
> I have a client using and liking a Total Concept foot. However she is a
> little particular about cosmesis and I have yet to meet her standards.
>
> Issue 1 - foam cover bulges either anteriorly or posteriorly depending
which
> end of the heel height range she is using (and she uses the whole range
> within a few days). The manufacturer's recommendation of using a softer
foam
> around the ankle was only partially succesful. I've experimented with a
> 'skirt' system which slides over the footshell. This has showed promise
but
> I'm not completely happy with it - I need just the right material.... Also
> as the client is about 4 months post amputation, adjustments are frequent
so
> the cover must be removeable.
>
> Issue 2 - that crazy foot colour. Enough said! I've found paints that bond
> well but are poor colours and paints with good colour but don't bond.
>
> Any suggestions on both these points gratefully received
>
RESPONSES:
A tough cosmetic issue, to be sure. I have finished a couple of these feet,
and I used the following technique:
1. Bevel the outside proximal surface of the footshell inwards, to
effectively remove the top 'shelf', and create a smooth transition with the
rest of the outside footshell surface.
2. With the foot and ankle mechanism in place, add foam to the footshell
interior (if desired) and create a 'domed' foam (plastazote density)
hemisphere superior to the top of the footshell, with the centre of ankle
rotation as its centre.
3. Fabricate and shape your proximal cosmetic section, building in
maleolar bulges, etc. It fits directly over the ankle/footshell hemisphere
and tapers onto the surface of the footshell, but is not glued to it.
4. Reinforce the outside surface of your proximal cosmetic section,
especially in the ankle region, with a coat of 'Plasti-Dip' or similar
rubberized coating material.
5. Regarding the need for a removable covering, a custom silicone
cosmetic skin would probably work best, or try one of the covering products
from PRS: <URL Redacted>
I have had very good results using the covers from PRS (Prosthetic Research
Specialists, Bushnell Florida). Available in a reasonable assortment of
colors.
Flexible and very durable. While they may be attached permanently, they may
also
be left unattached allowing for easy and frequent adjustments. Great for a
new
amp.
Life Like Labs in Dallas, Texas makes custome foot shells. Your patient
should be prepared to shoulder a considerable cost for being particular.
Perhaps there is a custom silicone restoration lab in Australia that can
help
you out.
Geoff, The ankle is a tuff one with any adjustable foot> I try to get them
to settle for it to look the best in one height of their choice and accept a
small wrinkle in the other positions. If you use the softer foam it might
work in the short run but is going to compress after awhile and then you get
to shape again.
The foot color can be changed. I use New Skin . It bonds great, you can mix
the colors to get a perfect match and if you want to go even farther they
have tinting kits which you can use to become very realistic with the right
hands. You can use a brush to apply. THF is the thinner. Any Questions just
email me.
Many thanks to all who responded
> Geoff Hill
THIS E-MAIL IS CONFIDENTIAL. If you have received this e-mail in error,
please notify us by return e-mail and delete the document. If you are not
the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying,
distribution or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this
information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Bayside Health is
not liable for the proper and complete transmission of the information
contained in this communication or for any delay in its receipt.
Dear List,
> I have a client using and liking a Total Concept foot. However she is a
> little particular about cosmesis and I have yet to meet her standards.
>
> Issue 1 - foam cover bulges either anteriorly or posteriorly depending
which
> end of the heel height range she is using (and she uses the whole range
> within a few days). The manufacturer's recommendation of using a softer
foam
> around the ankle was only partially succesful. I've experimented with a
> 'skirt' system which slides over the footshell. This has showed promise
but
> I'm not completely happy with it - I need just the right material.... Also
> as the client is about 4 months post amputation, adjustments are frequent
so
> the cover must be removeable.
>
> Issue 2 - that crazy foot colour. Enough said! I've found paints that bond
> well but are poor colours and paints with good colour but don't bond.
>
> Any suggestions on both these points gratefully received
>
RESPONSES:
A tough cosmetic issue, to be sure. I have finished a couple of these feet,
and I used the following technique:
1. Bevel the outside proximal surface of the footshell inwards, to
effectively remove the top 'shelf', and create a smooth transition with the
rest of the outside footshell surface.
2. With the foot and ankle mechanism in place, add foam to the footshell
interior (if desired) and create a 'domed' foam (plastazote density)
hemisphere superior to the top of the footshell, with the centre of ankle
rotation as its centre.
3. Fabricate and shape your proximal cosmetic section, building in
maleolar bulges, etc. It fits directly over the ankle/footshell hemisphere
and tapers onto the surface of the footshell, but is not glued to it.
4. Reinforce the outside surface of your proximal cosmetic section,
especially in the ankle region, with a coat of 'Plasti-Dip' or similar
rubberized coating material.
5. Regarding the need for a removable covering, a custom silicone
cosmetic skin would probably work best, or try one of the covering products
from PRS: <URL Redacted>
I have had very good results using the covers from PRS (Prosthetic Research
Specialists, Bushnell Florida). Available in a reasonable assortment of
colors.
Flexible and very durable. While they may be attached permanently, they may
also
be left unattached allowing for easy and frequent adjustments. Great for a
new
amp.
Life Like Labs in Dallas, Texas makes custome foot shells. Your patient
should be prepared to shoulder a considerable cost for being particular.
Perhaps there is a custom silicone restoration lab in Australia that can
help
you out.
Geoff, The ankle is a tuff one with any adjustable foot> I try to get them
to settle for it to look the best in one height of their choice and accept a
small wrinkle in the other positions. If you use the softer foam it might
work in the short run but is going to compress after awhile and then you get
to shape again.
The foot color can be changed. I use New Skin . It bonds great, you can mix
the colors to get a perfect match and if you want to go even farther they
have tinting kits which you can use to become very realistic with the right
hands. You can use a brush to apply. THF is the thinner. Any Questions just
email me.
Many thanks to all who responded
> Geoff Hill
THIS E-MAIL IS CONFIDENTIAL. If you have received this e-mail in error,
please notify us by return e-mail and delete the document. If you are not
the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying,
distribution or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this
information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Bayside Health is
not liable for the proper and complete transmission of the information
contained in this communication or for any delay in its receipt.
Citation
Hill, Geoff, “responses to Total Concept foot cosmesis,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 6, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/218152.
