Leg problems !

[ann58]

Is there any way to keep your leg from hitting the bottom of your socket other than adding socks? I add socks but am having a hard time getting it right without making the bottom part too
tight. Thanks, ann

[ann58]

You know what??? I think I'm having leg problems ;D

[ann-]

Feb 16, 2010 12:20:12 GMT -7 ann58 said:

Is there any way to keep your leg from hitting the bottom of your socket other than adding socks? I add socks but am having a hard time getting it right without making the bottom part too
tight. Thanks, ann

I normally try half socks Ann, usually use the thin type turned round the other way so the elasticated bit is round the stump and doesn't get rucked up, sometimes I use two but put them at different levels. Has the effect of tightening the top and lifting you up a bit.
Having said that though, am having problems myself at the moment, not on the end but just above ... and its not quite working for me this time. So doesn't always work.

[ann58]

Thanks ann....will give it a try.

[allenuk]

Hello ann58.

Been trying to remember what you've got (or rather not got) in the way of legs, as my expertise (?) is limited to BKAs. From the way you describe the problem, it sounds as if you're BKA. True? If so, what 'set-up' do you use in the way of liner/socks/etc?

Anyway, first reason for stump hitting bottom of socket is that the socket is too big - way too big. The base of your stump should sit on the Alpha liner at the bottom of the socket, but without any pressure. As far as I know, there is NO loadbearing by the base of the stump, nor indeed by the shinbone above it. The load is borne either side of the knees, and to a lesser extent under the kneecap, and either side of the base of the stump. (Hopefully Ted or similar will put me right on this if it's wrong).

So: 1. Get yourself to your prosthetist. Yes, I do remember that you're in Ohio, which means I take it Money gets involved.

Having a socket THAT big is going to cause no end of other problems in the way of pains, blisters, etc, and it really needs sorting.

2. Yes, I agree with ann on socks, 'half-socks' (cuffs the UK trade calls them). To keep a cuff in place (i.e. to stop it riding up when you put your socket over it) either put it under a full sock, or under a nylon (pantyhose cut down will do) sock. Half-socks around the knee area will stop your stump dropping down quite so far into the socket.

3. But there is a limit to what socks will achieve, and to what they're supposed to achieve, and it sounds as if you're right on that limit.

Do tell us what you use in the way of liner, and just how many layers of socks you're trying.


Allen, bka, London.

[ann58]

First, thanks Allen for moving my comments to the correct section.. ...I am a BKA{left side}and am using a suction type setup with a Evolution liner and of course socks.

BTW I just tried this {using silicone patches} just under the knee cap...and you know what....I think it might just work

[mom2noble]

Those silocone patches are what we paste in the socket so that my son's short leg doesnt hit bottom. That is to support weight on the patellar boney promanance (sp?) instead of through the botttom. It works for him

[ann-]

Feb 20, 2010 7:15:33 GMT -7 ann58 said:

First, thanks Allen for moving my comments to the correct section.. ...I am a BKA{left side}and am using a suction type setup with a Evolution liner and of course socks.

BTW I just tried this {using silicone patches} just under the knee cap...and you know what....I think it might just work

Hope that works for you Ann.
My problem 'was' that I was way too deep in the socket I was wearing .. and am wearing a new socket now which is better.

[ann58]

Ladies, I just think these patches might be the ticket. Do you have to go through your prosthetist to get more or can I just order them myself.

[kapteenkoukku]

Feb 20, 2010 7:15:33 GMT -7 ann58 said:

BTW I just tried this {using silicone patches} just under the knee cap...and you know what....I think it might just work

Where do you place the silicone patch, against the skin inside the liner or outside the liner? How does it stick if not against the skin?

I had my prosthetist to add plastazote on the patellar bar when I felt the patellar bar had not enough depth.

[allenuk]

Yes, Holly, do tell us where you get these silicone patches from, what manufacturer, etc, as they sound v.interesting.

I have a couple of patches stuck to the inside of my socket, probably made of silicone, but I haven't seen anything similar on sale. I've experimented with all sorts of things to make patches, but none has worked very well: if they don't move about, then they tend to be too big, and make soreness worse.


Allen, bka, London.

[mom2noble]

well, i had assumed that it was silicone, but i am actually not sure. Noble's prothetist glued it in, so i've never seen it away from the socket. It is permently mounted....I havent looked around for any. It is soft but not smooshy. It can depress slightly like silicone perhaps, but it is stuck in there really well. I live only about 30-45 min from my prosthetist and when i need something i shoot up there and get it. i havent ordered anything for his legs yet. Wish I was more helpful.

[bigdave]

just ask your prosthetist for them and they will allso put them in for you with there glue hope this helps they are silicone

[allenuk]

Thanks Dave, Holly.

Yes, I do have a couple of those already inside my socket - what I've been looking for is some you can stick onto your leg, or liner, and then take on and off to achieve the right result.

I'm trying foam at the moment, attached to a sort of surgical sock. Not working very well! But the alternative, i.e. adjusting my socket so that my bottom stump is not gently hit by the socket, doesn't work either - I can achieve THAT, but then my knee is so tight against the TOP of the socket that I can't walk up slopes!

Ted - are you around? What's your take on pads?

Allen, bka. London.

[ann-]

Can't say I have had too much luck with 'patches' myself. They have either rucked up or rubbed off. I reckon if the leg is not fitting comfortably ... then its not fitting. Time to seek out the prosthetist.

[allenuk]

Ann - I quite agree, and I'd much rather have a socket, a liner, and me, but life not being like that... not that I've had any success at all with patches (except the ones inside the socket that my prosthetist glued on - they seem to be working).


A.

bka, London.

[mitchee]

Before I got my new socket, I used to tape foam patches to the inside of my socket using duct tape. I could move the patches if they weren't in the right spot and re-secure them with duct tape. Surprisingly, it worked quite well.

[allenuk]

Mitchee - I've answered your other post from yesterday about front tibia soreness, which I think is relevant to this thread.

Allen,bka.

[tedatrowercpo]

Mar 1, 2010 3:26:23 GMT -7 allenuk said:

Ted - are you around? What's your take on pads?

Allen, bka. London.

Actually I wasn't. Spent the last week enjoying some sun instead of shoveling snow.

Silipos makes some gel pads the can be placed in the bottom of your socket or liner but there is no way they could be glued into position. They are also very soft. I'm not aware of any silicone material that can be effectively glued into position in a socket. There are a great many foam materials of widely varying density and durability that can be used. I'm not a fan of plastazote in a prosthetic socket as it packs out far too quickly. Feels good when it is installed, but a week later it isn't doing anything.

You can also purchase preshaped pads of dense felt with tape adhesive on the back. Usually overkill in a prosthesis sometimes you need a large volume filler.

Personally I prefer to make such pads from soft cowhide, Pelite or PPT

As home remedies I have seen lots of duct tape, moleskin, gauze 4x4's under tape and the occasional sanitary napkin. they all work to some extent. The trick is figuring out where to place them.

[Tom]

Allen, I've had a lot of success using moleskin as a patch. It stays where you put it and it's thin enough that you can experiment with multiple layers.

[allenuk]

Thanks for that, Tom.

Currently I'm being recast and relegged for a total suction version, which (I am told!) will get round these problems, but I will keep moleskin in mind, just in case.


Allen, bka, London.