Below is my original query and the replies regarding foot/pylon systems
that absorb ground forces. Thank you all for your helpful responses.
———————————-
>I am currently working with a 39 year old male left BK amputee who
>received his amputation as a result of trauma in May. The entire
>anterior and distal surface of his residual limb has been skin grafted
>and is in good condition. We want to protect this tissue at all costs
>and will be fitting a custom Tec liner with Ultralink suspension.
>This patient is very active and wants to return to basketball and golf
>(right handed). My question is: What foot/pylon systems have people
>had success with that absorb ground forces? Multi-axial ankle?
>Vertical shock absorber? Torque absorber?
>Thanks,
>Bill Velicky
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Bill:
I have tried the Stratus (OWW), Total Shock (Cent XXII), Airstance (SLS)
Ultimate Pylon (Tod Huston), Re-Flex (FF) and the Soft-Step.
The best of the lot were the re-flex, total shock, ultimate pylon and
airstance. The latter three have varying amounts of torque the total
shock
and ult pylon are adjustable via durometers.
The re-flex, since it is the only combination of foot and shock absorber
made the best combination and was the lightest of the lot.
The others were tested using and Flex Walk or a SLS Voyager foot.
I’m also testing the Genesis II foot by Mica (an adjustable ankle) at
the
moment and it seems to be good on slopes of considerable degree.
Hope this helps.
Ian Gregson ([email protected])
Amputee WEB Site <> AMPUTATION Online Magazine
http://www.amputee-online.com
Moderator Amputee & D-Sport Listservs
Bill,
Theoretically. the Cirrus foot allows for vertical displacement as well
as
good response for athletics and is relatively light . Another good
choice
would be the springlite Advantage and the Century XXII shock pylon.Of
course
the Flex foot.. Reflex VSP is a standard. The first two are probably
more cost
effective and have less maintenance.
The college Park also has some vertical displacement and nice ankle
movement
but may not have the performance of the cirrus and advantage foot.
Just my thoughts.
Mark Benveniste
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l – Obviously I’ve had more experience with the Reflex-VSP than with any
other system. I can tell you that using shock absorption with a gel
liner
can work. I have a client who is bilat. BK with split thickness graft
on
100% of his leg surface, 20 yrs old and 320 pounds. He’s also very
active,
a student in a recreation therapy curriculum. It’s not that he never
has a
breakdown, but they are far fewer and more manageable. What ever else
you
use I’d suggest incorporating some short of shock absorber.
Ted A. Trower C.P.
A-S-C Orthotics & Prosthetics
Jackson, Michigan, USA
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Hi Bill:
Invite your patient to join us on AMP-L where he can ask amputees who
golf and play tennis what they use. Have him contact me for subscription
info and feel free to give the info to your patients.
Wayne Renardson
moderator, AMP-L
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Bill,
Just a note on the liner. I tried the liner from TEC, and had problems
with it. I have recently tried the liner available from
endolite, and it works much better. It is off the shelf, and is very
stretchable. Try it out.
Jeff
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As a very active RBK, I have tested many feet, and prefer – speaking as
an amputee and not an employee of College Park – the College Park
TruStep
either by itself, or in combination with a Century 22 Total Shock pylon,
if the clearance is available.
The TruStep is still the best overall foot on the market, especially
with
recent improvements.
The Total shock is the best of the ones I have tested, but still
requires
disassembly, cleaning, and lubrication with the special oil they provide
about once a week. I will work without this, but gets that jumpy sticky
feeling otherwise. No big deal. It’s a 5-minute job, if the patient is
of the mind to avoid covering the leg up with cosmesis.
I weigh 170# and use the red “spring” and black rotation stop set to the
least rotation. For golf, I pop out the pin and turn the rubber 90
degrees for more rotation.
Hope this helps.
Chris (CJ) Johnson
Director of Engineering,
College Park Industries, Inc. http://www.college-park.com
(810) 294-7950 (at CPI), (616) 664-4173 (home office)
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Mr. Velicky,
My name is Jennifer Dowell and I am the staff prosthetist with Seattle
Limb Systems. Given the details of your patient the best option would
be
the Voyager foot with an AirStance vertical shock absorber. The
Voyager is a integrated foot/ankle system that provides plantar flexion
at
heel strike insuring a quick foot flat moment and increased stability.
The
AirStance pylon provides vertical shock absorption that easily adjusted
by the patient depending on their activities. The AirStance also
provides
15 degrees of axial rotation. This rotation reduces the shear forces
being applied to the limb as well as making an excellent addition for
the
activities you have listed, (especially golf, the rotation is well
appreciated
by many amputees playing golf.
The Voyager has a weight limit of 300 lb, a 3/8″ heel rise and is
available
in sizes 22-29.
The AirStance pylon has a weight limit of 300 lb and is available in two
different versions. One is with a bonded carbon pylon, the second,
witha distal titanium adaptor for smaller clearance tolerances.
Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions or concerns
you may have. My e-mail address is [email protected]
Phone
(360) 598-8961
Best Regards,
Jennifer Dowell, CPO
Staff Prosthetist
————————————-
Hi
I think that Tec Liner is a Big mistake!
High price research equals high price solutions.
John G. Russell Jr.
3161 Putnam Blvd.
Pleasant Hill, CA. 94523
Phone 510-943-1119
Fax 510-943-24-93
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Bill:
First, consider that my response is somewhat biased. I am an active
(running
12-15 miles per week) 42 year old BK using a TEC system and a Springlite
Advantage Low Profile foot with a vertical shock/rotator for daily
wear. It is
very reliable and the weight is not bad considering the function. (Life
is
full of little trade-offs) For running and higher activity I prefer not
to use
the shock and save the weight. The shocks I have used the TT plyon by
Endolite
and the Total Shock by Century XXII, both work very well.
I work for Springlite (hence my bias 🙂 and we have seen a lot of
prosthetists using this type of set up. The reports have been very
positive
with many repeat orders. I would happy to answer any questions you or
he may
have.
1-800-344-0328
I hope this helps. Good Luck!
Jack Richmond
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Bill,
Because of the rotation that will be developed in his golf swing,
(left foot
should stay planted) I would highly recommend the TT system by
Endolight. You
have a flexible keel foot for uneven terrain and a shock absorber at
heel
strike. the most important thing in the rotation that it will give him.
The key is the rotation and to eliminated the shear forces be produced.
I hope this will help you.
Gordon
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Dear William:
I have successfully fit and utilize myself, the new Endolite VSP with
the
College Park
Tru step foot. I am a 36 yr old BKA ;15 yrs S/P, fairly active, a
frequent golfer, have worn many systems and find the current to work
best. The Endolite component also allows 30 degrees of internal and 30
degrees of external rotation, this reduced 10 strokes from my game. I
also wear the Alpha 3mm locking liner.
If I can be of any further assistance, Don’t hesitate.
Richard K. Churchill, BSOP, CO
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Dear Bill,
I think the TEC is a good idea. To help to continue to protect the
tissue
I think I would go with an Endolite TT pylon, Endolite ankle, and a
S.A.F.E. symes foot(red keel). An odd combo, but would reduce ground
forces and still allow for his activity level. I have used the
ankle/foot
combo before with good success. The TT pylon is pretty new and I have
not
used one as yet, but Endolite has a good track record.
Steve Childs
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End of Responses
