Re: Suction socket or Silicone Sleeve

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ My Message Board ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Ally on March 18, 19106 at 04:30:51:

In Reply to: Suction socket or Silicone Sleeve posted by AnnZ on March 14, 19106 at 16:56:26:

Dear AnnZ

I am 39 years old and have been an above knee amp for 11 years.

I wore a full suction socket for 10 years, and the liner has been around the last 6 or 7 months.

The wonderful thing about a liner is the ease with which you can don and doff the leg. It's just amazing - like chalk and cheese.

However, if you are used to pulling your leg into the socket with a kite or a bandage, the liner makes you feel like aren't quite 'in'. You step into the socket with a liner, so it feels different. Takes a while to get used to.

The liner can cause sweating and blistering around the top of the socket - something I never experienced with a straight suction socket.

The liners are pricey - so if your medical insurance is covering them, then that's ok.

And just for the record, I think it's bollocks that your prosthetist says you should change systems (especially if you are happy and comfortable - that in itself is hard for an AK to achieve) and that you should wear the prosthesis every day. Rubbish. You seem to have gotten yourself into a routine that works for you and keeps you active.

If you have the energy and the patience to have another casting and get a new leg, try it if you want to. I've just been through a new socket experience and it really wore me out.

You may be more comfortable with the liner. It could also just irritate the hell out of your skin.

Good luck with your decision, let us know how it goes.

Ally

: I am an 81 year old female who has used a suction socket LABK for the past 19 years, with reasonable success, and still can walk without a cane. However, now that I am older and retired I feel much more comfortable and get far less tired doing my work (cooking, baking & cleaning) from a wheelchair with my leg off, also while relaxing, (reading, knitting & computing), so I only put on my prosthesis 2 or 3 times a week and then only for no more than 8 hours, except when traveling and on fishing vacation for a month. My new prosthetist thinks I would be more comfortable with a silicone sleeve with gel liner, and should wear it every day. I would like to know what other amputees would advise.

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Dear AnnZ : I am 39 years old and have been an above knee amp for 11 years. : I wore a full suction socket for 10 years, and the liner has been around the last 6 or 7 months. : The wonderful thing about a liner is the ease with which you can don and doff the leg. It's just amazing - like chalk and cheese. : However, if you are used to pulling your leg into the socket with a kite or a bandage, the liner makes you feel like aren't quite 'in'. You step into the socket with a liner, so it feels different. Takes a while to get used to. : The liner can cause sweating and blistering around the top of the socket - something I never experienced with a straight suction socket. : The liners are pricey - so if your medical insurance is covering them, then that's ok. : And just for the record, I think it's bollocks that your prosthetist says you should change systems (especially if you are happy and comfortable - that in itself is hard for an AK to achieve) and that you should wear the prosthesis every day. Rubbish. You seem to have gotten yourself into a routine that works for you and keeps you active. : If you have the energy and the patience to have another casting and get a new leg, try it if you want to. I've just been through a new socket experience and it really wore me out. : You may be more comfortable with the liner. It could also just irritate the hell out of your skin. : Good luck with your decision, let us know how it goes. : Ally : : I am an 81 year old female who has used a suction socket LABK for the past 19 years, with reasonable success, and still can walk without a cane. However, now that I am older and retired I feel much more comfortable and get far less tired doing my work (cooking, baking & cleaning) from a wheelchair with my leg off, also while relaxing, (reading, knitting & computing), so I only put on my prosthesis 2 or 3 times a week and then only for no more than 8 hours, except when traveling and on fishing vacation for a month. My new prosthetist thinks I would be more comfortable with a silicone sleeve with gel liner, and should wear it every day. I would like to know what other amputees would advise.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ My Message Board ] [ FAQ ]