Replies to:Transfemoral Post Op Preparatory Systems

Replies to:Transfemoral Post Op Preparatory Systems

Practitioner

1/11/2002

Thank you to all who replied.

 The Question:
Good Evening,
I have a patient who has been a transtibial amputee several years. He went to work for Fed X delivering packages. Went to the mini lube and slipped on oil. Broke femur, had to have a knee replacement. He has limited motion in the knee and arthritis has set in. Very painful.

He has decided to have a transfemoral amputation. Doctor and patient would like to have a temp. prosthesis to help unload the opposite hip which also will need replacing in the next few years.
Patient is, or was Very active 49 year old BK. Has anyone been successful with the Flo-Tech APPOPS system?
What other ideas do folks have to make this a smooth transition from BK to AK?

Thanks for the help...

Jeff A. Zeller, BOCP
Ray Tegerstrands Orthopedic Appliance
Redding, CA
<Email Address Redacted>

The Replies:

dear jeff, the primary goal of any post op lower ext. fitting is wound healing . minimal weight bearing is critical.i still cast all my post ops, but transfemorals shrink faster so you have to stay on top of them more.the flo-tech seems o-k but i have not used it.the b-k system may fit 20% post operatively ,in my opinion.total contact is most important first thing.post op fittings are the way to go,but realistic goals need to be understood by all in the team and mostly by the patient.once wound healing is on it's way then increase the weight bearing and temp fitting.i can understand the concern about the other hip but swift healing will far outweigh one month of pain on the other side.i hope all goes well with your case.mike beck cpo

Jeff,
Would your patient be interested in having Dr.Jan Ertl at Kaiser Hospital in
Sacremento preform the surgery?
We are looking for a primary and revision candidate for filming the famous
Ertl Procedure of corrective and primary amputee surgery. Let me know and
Ill put you in touch with Dr.Ertl to evaluate the patient.
Tony Barr
Barr Foundation




  We use the Flowtec Protector immediately following surgery. I usually put them on in the surgical suite or in recovery. Certainly, my information and assumptions are antedotal; however, I feel we have a shorter time to achieve the goals of preprosthetic care(shaping and reduction of edema). I do not place the Flowtec Protector on anyone that is significantly debilitated or has to deal with anything like sacral decubitus ulcers.I have used the Flotech Appops system. The trans-tibial system works well.
  The trans-femoral is a pain in the ass


  I just wanted to let you know we could custom make our system for your
  patient if there is any need beyond our standard sizes. I am always
  available to answer any questions you might have at 1-800-356-8324
  (FLO-TECH) or you could access our home page at www.1800flo-tech.com. There
  a Q&A section that you might find helpful and you can also submit your own
  questions.

  Thanks and good luck,

  Bob Brown, Sr., CPO, FAAOP
  Inventor of the APPOPS by FLO-TECHnd very hard to fit well. I won't
  use the tranfemorals anymore.