Ossur 5 Ring Liner (BK) Fewer Rings for (AK)

[billf]

I am a LBK and use the Ossur 5 ring liner (does not require a sleeve) suction system. I really like mine, especially getting rid of the outer sleeve and the many problems they cause (leaks and lack of knee range). I am finding that care of the liner is important to preserve the ring integrity. I am curious if others on the site use this liner, and how it performs for them and what maintenance they perform to keep the liner serviceable.

One issue I have not solved is when wearing shorts and doing yard work, yard debris falls inside the socket, moving down inside the socket and interfering with the seal in rings. Aside from creating some sort of external sleeve simply to keep debris out, any other ideas?

Do you lubricate the rings and socket when putting your leg on? If you do, what lubricant do you use? I use 50/50 alcohol and water.

How high or low of a trim line to you have on your liner? If you have a low trimmed liner, how low in reference to the knee cap do you have it trimmed? Mine is still at the factory length, but I think it is way to high on my thigh.

Other comments/questions appreciated.

BillF

[ann-]

Is this the same or similar to the 'seal in liner' ?

Have you any photo's

[billf]

Ann: Indeed it is a Seal In Liner. Sorry for the lack of a good description of the product name.

BillF

Attachments:

[Tom]

I don't use the same attachment setup you do, but when I'm working in a dirty environment, I wrap the socket with an ace bandage and take it off when done. Works great.

[billf]

Tom: Are you using an external sleeve for suction or grip, or do you use some sort of internal liner alone. If you use an external sleeve are you applying the Ace Wrap to protect the sleeve from damage, or are there other reasons for using the wrap, like in my case it would keep yard clippings etc. from working there way inside my socket. When you apply the wrap, does it noticeably affect knee movement or range of ability to bend the knee? It is this latter reason that I prefer the seal in liner, much less restriction in range of knee movement.

Thanks for your input.

BillF

[Tom]

Hi, BillF. In my case, I use the Ace wrap to protect the sleeve from getting punctured, but I was thinking it should work for you to keep junk out of the socket. It doesn't seem to restrict my movement all that much, I'm usually kneeling down outside when using it.

I've never tried the seal-in liner, don't know if it works with an elevated vacuum system or not. But anything that lets me bend at the knee more is a good thing. The newer sleeves from Bock are pretty good.

[billf]

Tom: I have never given any thought to using the 5 ring liner with a elevated vacuum system. I have no idea if it is possible or advised. Maybe Ted could offer input. When I wore an elevated vacuum system, I really liked the secure fit I had at all times. My current suction system is not quite as secure or intimate fitting, but I would not trade it for any system requiring the use of a sleeve.

Your experience of puncturing sleeves is somewhat different than mine. I do not recall ever puncturing a sleeve externally, but always a "cut" on the inside of the sleeve caused by the socket edge, generally directly at the top of the flare for patella support at the knee.

Thanks for your input - BillF

[tedatrowercpo]

Seal-In liners can be used with elevated vacuum suspensions. The are not interchangeable with non-seal-In liners.