Re: I'll ask againPosted by Gerry on February 08, 19101 at 13:47:54: In Reply to: I'll ask again posted by David Gardner on February 08, 19101 at 11:42:21: I've has similar problems. I find suction sockets far superior, particularly being a male, to suspension sockets. I currently have a leg which has a green dot valve, a leg with an Otto Bock titanium valve, a sports leg with a self purging valve, and a peg leg with both suction and suspension. The green dot valves are notorious for leaks. They rely on a friction seal and fluids such as sweat can cause the seal to leak. Your prosthetist can re-seal by applying a tie wrap around the valve. It will eventually leak and need to be repaired again. The nice thing with the green dot is that it's less expensive that the OB and relatively easy to fix. The Otto Bock valve is far superior, but as you've found, it can also leak. My observation is that it is tougher to repair the leak than green dots, but that it holds much longer since a glue or silicone is actually used for the seal to the socket. There are self puging valves available. Your prosthetist should be able to source them. The idea is that the valve has a pressure sensitive release that as you pressurize the air in the socket it purges as you place weight on the prosthesis. This may not solve some problems as the air which has entered the socket may not be adjacent to the valve. I find this works good with my sports leg as I sweat and the fluids also get purged. The net result is that you may need to use a combination socket which is full contact suction with a suspension belt. Kind of like belt and braces for your trousers. What you don't want is pistoning. In summary, work with your leg man.
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