Vertical shock component suggestions: responses

Vertical shock component suggestions: responses

questions

4/26/2007

Hi To All,

Below you will find my original post with responses to follow. Thanks
for all the input. And thanks to Paul P and his crew in Gainesville
once again for making this clinical practice tool (listserv) possible!

Sincerely,

Lisa Schoonmaker, CPO
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Hello Again!
 
There seems to be quite a variety of vertical shock options on the
market as of late. I am quite familiar with the all-in-one foot designs
(Pathfinder, Freedom design, Flex-Foot option...) but am not quite so
versed when it comes to vertical shock options that are independent of
the foot. I have used the Harmony system with success, but my current
patient is content with his current expulsion valve suspension. What to
do?
 
I'd like honest opinions from the practitioners out there as to what you
have used in the past with and without success. He is a BKA, 5'4'',
very active and 250#. Please include component specs if possible
(vertical length is a concern). Please do not respond if you are a
manufacturer's employee. I am looking for as much unbiased info as
possible. I plan to post all responses for everyone's benefit (unless
you specifically ask me not to).
 
Sincerely,
 
Lisa Schoonmaker, CPO
________________________________________________________________________
____

Lisa -
I have had success with the Ossur Total Shock. It needs to be
maintained -
vertical and rotation rods need to be replaced and lubed every so often.

I've been very pleased with the Durashock from Fillauer. The torsion
may seem a bit soft at first but ask the amputee to wear it for 48
hours. They will want to keep it. Best part is it's very very durable.
I've never had to replace / service one

Lisa, as an amputee and CP, I have found that the Camp rotator/shock
unit is very simple, durable, and smooth in function. It has less
adjustment than the Delta Twist and Total Shock, but it is lighter,
looks cool, and will not break (I am a 6' 235# K4 who rides his mountain
bike off entire staircases and downhill skis off ledges and snow covered
logs in the glades). I have also used the Timed without favorable
results. Simply tightening a zip-tie like plastic piece around the
elastomer limits the function, it does not change the behavior of the
shock.





Have you tried the 'Catalyst' foot from Seattle/Trulife yet? Weight
limit is 366 lbs.; min clearance from pyramid dome to floor: 7 1/8.
Just fit it on a 5' 4, 150 lb very active male in construction and he
loved it immediately! We tried several foot options; I actually got a
YES, that's it! after he took his 1st step following static alignment.
Very cool. He is psyched. Gait appears incredibly smooth, natural and
effortless. We're just finishing w/dynamic test fittings...can't wait to
hear about its function day to day.

I recently had the opportunity to work with the Delta Twist from Otto
Bock. I am away from the office so I do not have the specifications
with me. I was pleased with the component's function right out of
the box and the ability to easily change the preload on the elastomer
rod and the availability of separate plates to adjust the torsion
resistance. Like the Harmony pump, both the vertical shock component
as well as the torsion piece worked smoothly and quietly.

We've had some issues with premature breakdown with the Endolite TT
pylons. We have one of their new units in house but haven't put it
on anyone as of yet.

I also recently tried the Microshox pylon but returned it because it
was noisy.

We have used the Delta Twist from Otto Bock with sucess and little
maintenance,the Total Shock pylon from Ossur is also virtually
maintenance free. Both are serviceable in your lab when they do wear.The
Endolite TT pylon would be my 3rd choice as it requires more frequent
rebuilding in my experience.You will need to look through the catalogs
or call for build heights