Need advice re: hip disartic socket design

Need advice re: hip disartic socket design

Cath/Helen Mok

8/7/2012

Hi List,

We recently made a new socket for a patient who is has a hip
disarticulation on one side and trans-tibial amputation on the other.
We used the Otto Bock HIP-cast apparatus (with pressure wedges and
tension belt) and followed the casting and alignment instructions as
closely as possible. He has a Helix hip and C-Leg.

However, he is having great difficulty tolerating the socket.
Objectively it fits better than his old socket (in terms of volume,
reliefs, measurements etc) but he states it feels like he's walking
into a brick wall with his pelvis.

Can other clinicans please advise how you measure A-P in
hip-disarticulation patients? When is it too tight? What other
objective or subjective methods do you use to get these sockets
fitting well? Are there any special tricks to using the HIP-cast
apparatus that are not in the instructions?

Thanks in advance for any help - we are going to have to re-cast soon ....

Cath

Cath Mok BP&O, BAppSci(Hons), MA
Orthotist/Prosthetist
Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre | Austin Health
Victoria, AUSTRALIA