Responses To Freedom Foot "Popping"

Responses To Freedom Foot "Popping"

Joel Kempfer C.P.

All~

Thanks to all who responded so promptly. Below is the original question and
the responses:


I have a gentleman who wears a transtibial endoskeletal prosthesis with a
Freedom FS2000 low profile foot. He just started experiencing a popping
feeling from the heel with simultaneous heel strike and turning. I inspected the
componentry repeatedly and can only surmise that the two heel portions are
rubbing against each other with the turn. I called Freedom for help who in turn
suggested that I double-up on the Spectra sock. It was no surprise to me
that this didn't solve the problem.

Having worked with a variety of feet from a variety of manufacturers, I am
aware that another company who makes feet similar to Freedom provided a
rubber clip to keep the two heel sections separate. I asked Freedom if they had
something like that and was told it wasn't necessary with their product.

Has anyone else had this problem with Freedom feet, and if so, what was your
solution?
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Glue a piece of X-tra firm nickleplast to the heel section of your foot
module. Once adhered, cut a slit with a box knife through the center of the
heel strut, thereby maintaining the appropriate space between the two
struts.
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I haven't seen the problem you describe, but there is a small
possibility that the heels could rub together. If this is the case, you
should be able to see signs of this on visual inspection (carbon dust,
wear between the heel members, etc.) In my experience, the problem is
more likely due to the bond between the molded pyramid adaptor and the
foot coming loose. This shouldn't cause a structural failure, but
Freedom will be happy to replace the foot under warranty because of the
noise issue.
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I had a similar problem but not with that foot. The problem, after a lot of
messing around, turned out to be the epoxy between the bottom pyramid
adapter and the pylon was not holding and made a similar pop to what one
would expect to hear from a malfunctioning foot cover. Maybe check that out.
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I would like to respond to your inquiry regarding the FS2000. First I
would like to ask if there is a heel wedge that you installed in the
heel portion, and if yes, please remove it. Secondly, if you suspect
that the heels are rubbing against each other you can install a 3/8
Dacron strap in the heel portion. If this doesn't rectify the problem,
please send in the foot for warranty work or replacement.
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I had the same problem on two occasions, but both times were with the
Freedom Renegade. Make sure the heel of the foot is seated under the
lip(mine wasn't, although it felt like it was) ) in the heel portion of the
footshell. On the Renegade it takes a lot of effort to seat the foot under
the lip of the footshell when the foot is new.

Recently I had the same problem occur with the Renegade. Upon inspection
of the foot, the carbon heel had worn a hole in the spectra sock. I
replaced the sock but still heard a small popping sound(barely
noticable). I suspect the carbon heel not being covered by the spectra sock
may have worn the lip in the heel of the footshell slightly. I also found
that the foot was easier to remove from the footshell, indicating that some
wear had occurred in the heel portion of the foot. I told the pt. to return
if the noise gets worse and I will replace the footshell. This sounds as
though it could be your problem.
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I always just jammed in a bit of inner tube rubber between the rubbing split
carbon heel.
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I don't have very much experience with this foot, but I did put one out last
week. It was for a very heavy person. As such, I believe Freedom wrapped
additional reinforcement and resin around the two sections posterior to the
pyramid. In fact, I called Freedom to complain about not being able to get
a torque wrench on the posterior set screw without scuffing this area. They
had me speak with a troubleshooter, who is a practitioner, here in Indy.
No help. I am wondering if all FS2000 feet have this wrapped in a similar
way, especially for heavier clients. Could that be where the popping is
coming from? Just curious
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 Thanks again!

Joel Kempfer CP FAAOP