Dear List,
I have a new client that has come to me from out of province. She has a mid-length trans-humeral amputation due to vehicular accident. She has tried two styles of prostheses with no success due to discomfort and weight of prosthesis issues. It seems the first one she tried is a standard pull in suction socket with and endoskeletal light-weight system with no harness. She felt the weight of the prosthesis uncomfortable. It seems she also tried a seal-in liner system again with no harness and endoskeletal componentry. She also felt this was too heavy and uncomfortable. Her residuim is not tender, painful or scarred.
I have tried to convince her that she will NEED a harness to make this a workable prosthesis. She wants it mainly for cosmesis and a passive hand with spring to hold some objects. She also rides horses and would like to wear this while riding. I explained that the up and down motion of riding would put a lot of tension or draw on the residuim and that is likely why the past systems have not worked for her.
Some of my concerns are: She lives 2 ½ hours from our facility. If I were to try standard pull-in suction, I would believe she would shrink out of it in a short time. This is because she has not been wearing any device for 2 years and shrinkage is likely. The same applies to a seal-in liner as I believe it would become loose and the jarring of horse-riding would be uncomfortable. A lanyard system was brought up but she did not want a string showing. This would negate a coyote like system as well.
She asked if there was a transparent harness material, which I told her I was unaware of anything like that.
Would any-one have any comments or suggestions I could propose to this client? It would be much appreciated.
Regards,
Andy d’Entremont C.P.(c)
Wascana Rehab Centre
Regina, Saskatchewan
Canada