waterproof straps?- response summary

waterproof straps?- response summary

Ted Trower

1/17/2003

My question was:
I'm building a KAFO for a woman with limited intellectual function and
severe urinary incontinence. The facility in which she resides requests
that the straps on the orthosis be water/urine resistant.

Any suggestions for a source of pre-made straps or of suitable materials
that would hold up well?
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>1) Hi Ted, when I have a request like that, I have made the straps out of
>1/8 inch polyethylene with a plastic snap buckle. It works pretty well.

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Ted,
   Try polyethylene straps with old fashioned buckles.
Steven L. Fries, CPO

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>Interesting dilema. I was thinking, why not use regular hook velcro as
>the straps since it's plastic, and put chafes medially and self adhesive
>pile laterally on the plastic. That way, the self adhesive pile would be
>protected from urine. Also, it could easily be replaced. You could even
>double up the hook to make it stronger. Someone will probably come up
>with something better, but this seems like a simple solution. Zach Harvey, CO

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>Plastic ski boot straps and buckle?
>Gordon Bass CBO

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SPS is selling plastic ski boot type buckles, these might work.
John

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how about ski buckle sort of thing? good luck

Stephanie Yoshino, CPO, LP

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Please realize that I do prosthetics and have no experience with KAFO's..so
if this idea does not help, please understand that I do not know how the
straps will be used.
  My first gut instinct is to use a ratcheting strap similiar to a ski
boot, bicycle shoe, or coyote lock system (prosthetically). It is a
plastic buckle and lock mechanism that can be rivited.
   Hopefully this can work for your situation.
Sincerely,
Donnie Priest
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I have attached two chafes and sewed straps that can be removed. That way
one set can be in the sink soaking while the other set is on the orthosis.
Even plastic backed straps will need to be cleaned and then you have the
very good possiblity of urine getting between the plastic and the velcro and
creating an even bigger hygiene problem. Another possibility would be to
used a modified polyethylene strip as the strap with studs built into the
orthosis. The p.e. would have holes drilled into it. Orthomerica has
straps something like this on the AirBack Spinal System, and the SWASH
pelvic band also has a plastic fastening system you may be able to adapt for
your purposes

Dulcey Lima C.O. OTR/L

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McMaster-Carr sells some polyester hook and loop.
It is more resistant to acid and UV.
They have 1 and 2 in black and white $0.34 a foot in 15 ft. lengths.
330-995-9555

Mike
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You might try scotch guard on dacron and velcro.
Good luck,
Don Moore, CO

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Looks like I going to try the ski boot type closure.

Thank you to all who responded.


Ted A. Trower C.P.O.
A-S-C Orthotics & Prosthetics
Jackson, Michigan, USA

www.amputee.com