Responses
Jim Young Cp Faaop
Description
Collection
Title:
Responses
Creator:
Jim Young Cp Faaop
Date:
4/29/2010
Text:
Here are the responses back from the listserve question regarding the Alps lock.
From: <Email Address Redacted> [mailto:<Email Address Redacted>]
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2010 10:22 AM
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: Question listserv regarding Alps clutch locks
Over the last few months I have had numerous complains from patients regarding the Alps S496T clutch lock. All have reported intermittent loosening of the Pin from the lock mechanism. They claim that the pin backs out to the point where they have to reseat the pin via the clutch mechanism. In some cases they claim that it completely disengages and the prosthesis falls off. I have never observed these situations, nor have I been able to replicate their complaints in my facilities.
I have also had issues with this lock's pieces coming apart. This is what I have witnessed. 1) The Housing (clutch) Assembly coming loose and backing out of the lock body (I followed the Manufacturer instructions using loctite 262, but no torque specs are in the instructions.) 2) The push button/screw has came loose and fell out, (also followed instructions.) 3) A little play or wiggle when the pin is engaged.
The first few times the situation was reported I wrote it off as noncompliance of a rouge patient, but I have too many reports of this happening from a wide range of patients to ignore. I reported the situation to the manufacturer. They said that they have never had a complaint, or had such reports regarding this lock.
I have issued a product alert to my patients asking them to come in if they are having any such problems. So far I have remade 4 sockets, 3TF,1TT because of these reported problems.
Am I the lone practitioner having these issues? If you have had similar reports please contact me, and the manufacturer ASAP.
Respectfully Yours,
Jim Young, LP, CP, FAAOP
Amputee Prosthetic Clinic
Macon, Tifton, and Albany, GA
888fakeleg
I have had the exact same issues as you. I changed the Shuttle locks to the
Coyote Design.
You are not alone with having problems with the lock. I tried three
different patients with the Alps lock and all had similar loosening
problems. I have stopped using the lock because even after telling them that there is something either not to tolerance or not locking down properly, I did not see any changes. I have used Alps locks in the past without difficulty but I am using other brands at this time.
We have also had issues with the housing and the button backing out here at Shriners in St. Louis. It happened with the same patient twice, and a few others.
We are a two practitioner facility in Vero Beach, FL. We had been using
those locks for many years without problems. Around five years ago we had
a patient that had the same problem and like you, I wrote it off as a
patient that was not doing something correct. Within two weeks we had it
happen to two more patients and within three months we had no less than
ten patients with the same problem. We also contacted the manufacturer and
talked to the engineers and even the owner. We were told the same exact
things you were told. In the meantime we had to start replacing all of
these defective sockets. After many months of complaining to the company
we decided to part ways and we have been using PDI locks which are much
easier to maintain and replace if necessary. We had purchased our locks
through PEL and they were somewhat helpful at getting us reimbursed for
all of the defective locks, but this took about two years.
Don't believe that you are the first one to experience this, and that they
haven't had problems before.
Good Luck!
From: <Email Address Redacted> [mailto:<Email Address Redacted>]
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2010 10:22 AM
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: Question listserv regarding Alps clutch locks
Over the last few months I have had numerous complains from patients regarding the Alps S496T clutch lock. All have reported intermittent loosening of the Pin from the lock mechanism. They claim that the pin backs out to the point where they have to reseat the pin via the clutch mechanism. In some cases they claim that it completely disengages and the prosthesis falls off. I have never observed these situations, nor have I been able to replicate their complaints in my facilities.
I have also had issues with this lock's pieces coming apart. This is what I have witnessed. 1) The Housing (clutch) Assembly coming loose and backing out of the lock body (I followed the Manufacturer instructions using loctite 262, but no torque specs are in the instructions.) 2) The push button/screw has came loose and fell out, (also followed instructions.) 3) A little play or wiggle when the pin is engaged.
The first few times the situation was reported I wrote it off as noncompliance of a rouge patient, but I have too many reports of this happening from a wide range of patients to ignore. I reported the situation to the manufacturer. They said that they have never had a complaint, or had such reports regarding this lock.
I have issued a product alert to my patients asking them to come in if they are having any such problems. So far I have remade 4 sockets, 3TF,1TT because of these reported problems.
Am I the lone practitioner having these issues? If you have had similar reports please contact me, and the manufacturer ASAP.
Respectfully Yours,
Jim Young, LP, CP, FAAOP
Amputee Prosthetic Clinic
Macon, Tifton, and Albany, GA
888fakeleg
I have had the exact same issues as you. I changed the Shuttle locks to the
Coyote Design.
You are not alone with having problems with the lock. I tried three
different patients with the Alps lock and all had similar loosening
problems. I have stopped using the lock because even after telling them that there is something either not to tolerance or not locking down properly, I did not see any changes. I have used Alps locks in the past without difficulty but I am using other brands at this time.
We have also had issues with the housing and the button backing out here at Shriners in St. Louis. It happened with the same patient twice, and a few others.
We are a two practitioner facility in Vero Beach, FL. We had been using
those locks for many years without problems. Around five years ago we had
a patient that had the same problem and like you, I wrote it off as a
patient that was not doing something correct. Within two weeks we had it
happen to two more patients and within three months we had no less than
ten patients with the same problem. We also contacted the manufacturer and
talked to the engineers and even the owner. We were told the same exact
things you were told. In the meantime we had to start replacing all of
these defective sockets. After many months of complaining to the company
we decided to part ways and we have been using PDI locks which are much
easier to maintain and replace if necessary. We had purchased our locks
through PEL and they were somewhat helpful at getting us reimbursed for
all of the defective locks, but this took about two years.
Don't believe that you are the first one to experience this, and that they
haven't had problems before.
Good Luck!
Citation
Jim Young Cp Faaop, “Responses,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 5, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/231407.
