Thank you to all who responded.
QUESTION: I would like to get prosthetist’s opinions on the OWW
Earthwalk Ankle,
the Seattle/USMC Multi-axis Ankle, and any other “bolt on” type of
ankles that you may know of (excluding Endolite). I am specifically
interested in longevity and performance.
RESPONSES:
**The story on these type’s of multi-axis ankle’s is that they all rely
on
some sort of rubber bumper to provide the action that we are looking
for. We
have used both of these ankle’s and both function well, however, the
bumpers
will breakdown in time. Both systems are easy to service but it does
take
your tech’s time. One more thing of note is that both of these units
will
give a Seattle foot similar action as a college park trustep for
significantly less money.
**I have had mixed success with the Earthwalk. About half my patients
have
experienced breakdown of the ankle rubber about 6 months after
delivery.
Warranty replacements were sometimes not much better. I like that fact
that
it is small and low profile but wonder if such a small package is up to
the
stress and range of motion.
**I have used oww earthwalk ankles and have had a problem with
premature wearing out and noise. Specifically 60 year old male about
230#, blind and very low activity. He has gone through 3 sets. Oww has
been great about replacing under warranty and also sent a pair of their
other ankles that are stiffer.
**Just so you know Seattle is coming out with a new ankle for the
multiaxial use with low maintenance, look for it in the second
quarter.
**I don’t know about longevity yet, but the 2 amputees I’ve put them
on,
really like them.
**We tried the earthwalk ankle and we were not happy with it. I don’t
know if we got a bum ankle or not. The softest ankle was so stiff we
could barely get any motion out of it.
**Products > Catalog arthroglide ankle by seattle systems
END
RESPONSES————————————————————————————————————–
