BK Running Responses Part 1

BK Running Responses Part 1

Sharon Toscano

7/25/2007

I am posting this for Brooke again.

Here are the responses to my question about BK running. They all seem to
follow the same message antiperspirants, suction socket and waist
belt. Needless
to say I will be trying the antiperspirants first. I ordered the Alps and I
will also get my hands on the Certain Dri next. I will post most of the
responses (there were tons) and also answer questions that people had under
each one. Have fun reading then all…Please contact me at
queenbrooklyn@hotmail with any other questions…

Have you tried the ALPS VIVA sleeve with integrated expulsion valve? I
realize you are averse to suction, but this might provide just enough vacuum
to keep things from slipping.

I'm curious as to what specific problems you had with suction. I've found my
patients very receptive to using expulsion valves with either a sleeve or
Seal-in liner.

Joel Kempfer CP FAAOP

*The suction socket was very uncomfortable for me, the only reason I can
give is that I possibly have a neuroma, on the distal end of my stump. Plus
if I ever did go to a suction socket wouldn't the knee sleeve still slip
down?*

KISS suspension works great for AKs. If you have enough length in residual
limb it would work for you

Have you tried any of the anti-perspirants? I use the alps spray when I
hike and find it keeps me dry for at least an extra hour. Also I just
used some samples of Certain-dry which seemed pretty good as well.

A different sleeve won't solve your problem with sweating. This,
unfortunately, is the nature of the beast. You need to reduce the amount of
sweat, if you want to reduce socket migration. The amount of sweat produced
in the socket proportionately displaces the socket. Add to that the sweat
that gets in by running down the thigh from the rest of the body, and you've
got a very nervously running BK. Try anti-perspirants.The best ones for you
will contain no perfumes. I like, and personally use, the
Alpsanti-perspirant. Also, a sweat band around the leg (just above the
knee and
well below the liner trim lines) also helps. I have also heard of people
using duct tape to adhere the liner to the thigh and to keep sweat from
getting in. Never tried it, as I have fairly furry thighs!

Stick with it. Distance running and prosthetics together pose unique
problems. Might be that you will need to periodically stop, take the leg
off, dry it out, and put it on again. That is what I have to do when I'm on
my long bike rides. Good luck!

Thank you very much,

Matthew C. Daniels, CP

*I might actually try the duct tape thing, who knows it probably works.*

* *

Don't forget the little things like Erid Extra Dry anti- perspirant.

Dave H


Dear Brooke, Perhaps adding supra condylar suspension to your socket may

just do the trick. Also there is a product on the market called dry-sol.

Have to have a script from your dr. but it really reduces the
sweating.

Steve peterson, cp

*I know this sounds ridiculous but I believe Dry-sol to be the reasons
I sweat so much, I used it years ago in my liner and I have just sweat
more and more since…*

I would try asking Jack Richmond at Fillauer for some suggestions.
He's a big time runner and amputee. I have heard that sometimes it is
the perspiration that is collecting INTO the liner from above that is
making the sleeve slip off and not the perspiration from the residual
limb inside the liner. If this is the case, maybe you could try
wearing a couple of sweatbands above the liner to collect the
perspiration and keep it from sliding inside the prosthesis.


Good luck,

Jennifer Lee, CPO

BioMetrics
Trumbull, CT

*Your right it is not coming from inside the liner, it is all from the
knee sleeve.*

* *

Try a new options sport custom with the auxillary velcro strap. They seem
to hold pretty tight and being custom it will get your socket shape and
thigh cirumference perfect. Call them and ask about what type of material
they would use in your situation. Great people and we have used them a
little bit. Very inexpensive. Also another one would be the iceflex from
ossur, but it may be so tight that your eyes bulge when you pull it up. But
seriously see if you can't get a sample from one of your reps, they are all
about smooshing amputees that are in the field, ours does.

Will Graybeal, CP, LPO

Bristol O&P, Inc.

Bristol TN

*I will call the ossur rep and ask. I have a New Options sleeve, but
it still slips, it just might be to big, I don't think it was a custom
one. I'll check it out..*

* *

I am a bilateral below-knee amputee as well as a physical therapist, and I
have had similar problems whenever I perspire (so this time of year is
especially difficult for me), even though I am not a runner. I, too, have
tried all different types of suspension (including suction) with varied
versions of the same outcome -- they slip. I think I have finally found a
solution: I use a pin suspension with evolution liners and neoprene
suspension sleeves, with a knee-length girdle (!) and/or a waist belt
backup, if necessary. It's not perfect, but it does work for the most part!
(I use the girdle and/or the waist belt only if I know I'm going to be very
active that day.) I hope some combination of options works for you, also.

Best to you,

*Carol A. Sheredos, PT, MA*

Have you thought about adding a cuff suspension - this is a leather buckle
that attaches to the top of your socket and then does up around your thigh
over the knee cap. I did this for a lady of mine who runs and had tried
various sleeves, she can screw it on and off easily and tighten it as much
as she wants. Most places will do leather cuff, but she particularly liked
the rubber cuff that Ottobock make for swim legs. Hope this helps and good
luck!

Vicky Jarvis CPO**

I am a bilateral BK, a runner, and a prosthetist which only

means that I like to think I know more than I really do.



I can empathize completely with your problem.

There are several options you can try, some may work some

may not.



1. How low is the liner cut? Sometimes during running, the

muscles firing can create channels that allow small amounts

of air down the liner. Air in the liner allows for

increased sweating.

Solutions: longer liner, tighter liner, or elastic strap

around the thigh near the top of the liner to keep these

channels from forming (I use the strap
method. I get much

more sweat in my liners if I don't). If you do not

increase your sock ply for running, you should try this as

well. Many athletes, including myself, wear their

prosthesis tighter for activities than they would for the

normal day. I think this decrease the potential for sweat

to develop because everything is jammed into a smaller

space leaving less room for air (pure speculation).

*I tried adding more socks today, it was Ok. I will also add a band
or tape to the top of the liner*



2. What is the temperature where you run? The cooler it is

the easier it is to avoid sweat related problems. I live

in chicago and preffer to run
outside in the winter.

*I'm in lovely NJ so right now its humid and gross, so I try to run
later at night when it is cooler, this does help slightly.*



3. Try an anti-persperant on your residual limb.

Certain-dri is one type that can be bought over the

counter. It closes down the pores so that less sweat can

escape. Of course you will sweat more in other places,
but

the body adjusts. Some other amputee runners I know will

use this the night before a long run. Just watch your skin

for problems.

*Done*