Responses to Pelite seams

Responses to Pelite seams

Thanks to all who responded. I received some great suggestions and lots of
helpful ideas on how to address this problem. Below is my original post followed
by the responses. I'd also like to express my appreciation to Paul
Prusakowski, CPO for all his efforts in keeping the LISTSERV going. This is a great
resource. It is quite refreshing to read all the helpful, positive and sometimes
entertaining comments from ones colleagues.


Original Post:
I have an age old, recurring problem and thought someone here might have some
good advice.   It seems that some people who wear pelite liners have oily
skin, sometimes its just from adding lotions to the skin. The problem is after a
while this oil and/or lotion breaks down the glue and the liner comes apart.
Once this begins happening it seems we can never get anything to hold the liner
together no matter how well we clean it or what solvents we use. My question
is, what is the best glue to use to keep this from happening. We have tried
Polyadhesive, Masters, Barge and Duall.

Responses:

Have you tried the everflex cones from DAW? No seams, no distal cap needed.
We use the everflex cones (impoted by DAW and made by Proteor in France and
called Keasy)
almost exclusively.
******************
Fillauer heat welds their prefab pelite cones together so no glue is used on
the seam. Our cosmetic leg covers are glued with Poly-adhesive.
If you are using our prefab cones, make sure the techs are taking the time to
use a seam protector when heating them in the oven. The seam is welded with
heat so too much heat will also weaken the seam.
Another trick I've used is to put a 1-2 wide strip of thin, soft pelite over
the seam inside the liner before heat forming to protect the seam.
******************
Eddie - One other suggestion is to use a cream that has no oils or fatty
acids, but absorbs quickly and completely. I addition to manufacturing orthotics
here in Canada, we are the importer of a product called Allpresan ( <A HREF= <URL Redacted>>
www.allpresan.ca</A> ) that is getting rave reviews in Europe, Canada and now the U.S.
******************
When I was at Shriner's, we always had issues with
the kids busting out of the pelite liners at the seams (same
issue...different cause).  What we would do to prevent this from
happening was pretty simple.  When initially fabricating the
liner...once the liner was complete, but before delivery...we would use
yellow glue along the EXTERIOR seams (posterior and distal cap) and
adhere twill tape.  This really helps hold things together.  Its best if
the liner is initially fabricated in this manner, but it's not bad for
repairs either.  I would think this would work in your case because the
oil is on the interior of the liner.
**********************
How about trying a seamless liner such as the PM? You could put a minimal
cap on and that would be your only seam.
**********************
Have you tried using a cyanoacrylate (SuperGlue etc.) with an
accelerator, for repairs only.  Although somewhat brittle when cured, they
hold tenaciously to pelite.  I can't say I have repaired an entire seam, but
I have spot glued smaller areas with good results.

     By the way, any excess glue can be carefully sanded away with a fine
sanding cone and a light touch.
***********************
My best results in these cases has come from lining the inside of the
pelite liner with a full horsehide liner with a stitched seam.
**********************
If this is a problem that you can see happening in a patient ,try using a
silicone glue .You can make your cone and allow it to dry overnight and apply
heat and form.try to use a quick drying adhesive and don't gunk it on the seam
because as you know,silicone doesn't grind well.I use clear dow corning silicone
or you can use Otto Bock and even Silipos has some.I get it from Home Depot
for $3 a tube.I wouldn't use this everyday but,those problem cases can be
handled with this.I hope this helps.
**********************
The answer is to stop using pelite cones that you glue yourself
and go to the Daw Eva cones lot less mess and no ripped seams
worth the money no hassel
**********************
Same problem here, I have seen a heat moldable 1 piece liner from a
manufacturer at an ed fair, believe was European manufacturer, but will have
to pull out flyers to confirm.There rep had an accent and barely spoke
English.
*********************
Duct tape!
**********************
The best way I found is to stop using pelite and use the Daw Everflex cones.
No seams, no packing down, very durable.  Finally something useable from Daw!
**********************
Cover the insert with kip or horsehide during fabrication or after the stump
reduces in size to allow  the tighter fit.
**********************


Thanks again,
Eddie White, CP
Beacon Prosthetics and Orthotics
3911 New Bern Ave.
Raleigh NC 27610

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