Selection and precautions of prosthetic liner

Manufacturers make silicone prosthetic liner into different standard specifications and models to meet the needs of different conditions of residual limbs and activity levels. The correct choice of silicone inner bushing brings the greatest benefit to amputees. The selection of the silicone liner should consider the size of the amputee's residual limb, the condition of the soft tissue of the residual limb, the activity level of the amputee, and the use of accessories.

1. Size selection

According to the measured girth size of the limb and the length of the residual limb, choose the matching silicone inner liner. The wrong size can cause the amputee to feel uncomfortable, perspire and reduce the ability to control the prosthesis.

2. Soft tissues of residual limbs

1. The stumps vary in their firmness. Some are more fleshy and some are bony. If the end of the residual limb is succulent, use a stable silicone liner, which can control the soft tissue more effectively. If the end of the residual limb is bony, use a nursing silicone inner liner, which has a thicker liner to cover the protruding part of the residual limb.

3. Activity level of amputees

Low-intensity activity level refers to the use of auxiliary walking tools for daily activities, slow and stable walking, such as walking in the house, light walking in the community; medium-intensity activity level refers to daily activities limited to ordinary walking, capable of changing speed or Walk freely, such as shopping outside and walking independently; high-intensity activity levels refer to daily activities such as fast walking, jogging, or up and down stairs, such as light-weight handling.

4. Silicone lining accessories

The standard silicone inner liner is designed to fit most of the shape of the residual limb with an umbrella-shaped barrel. When the shape of the amputee's residual limb is in an abnormal or irregular range, the residual limb cannot be in full contact with the silicone inner sleeve. At this time, suitable accessories can be selected to match the silicone inner sleeve to achieve shape matching. Umbrella-shaped cushions and half-moon-shaped cushions are available, suitable for the end of the residual limb to be square, flat or tapered.

The residual limbs of the silicone inner sleeve may sweat a lot when they are first worn. In most cases, after a period of adaptation and adjustment, it will subside and disappear. The silicone inner sleeve products produced by different manufacturers are slightly different, about a few weeks to several months. ; Sweating of residual limbs is also related to increased activity and climate change. Some silicone inner sleeves are easy to absorb body odor and sweat, requiring the wearer to have good hygiene habits and be diligent in cleaning. At rest every night, after taking off the prosthesis, wash the residual limb and the silicone inner liner with a soft and odorless lotion (about pH 5.5). It is best to apply residual limb care solution to make it work overnight, and put it on the skin and silicone inner sleeve again. The bushing is dry and clean. If there are signs of skin allergies, use alcohol or disinfectant to clean the inner layer of the silicone inner sleeve and wash the residual limbs. Do not leave soap blocks on the skin to avoid skin irritation.

Amputees may encounter some skin problems in the process of wearing the silicone inner sleeve, such as proximal and distal blisters, skin surface cysts, patella redness, and extensive skin irritation. The external factors are mostly mechanical friction, hydration, chemistry and heat, and the internal factors are mostly diseases, allergies, infections, etc. It is recommended to use a special cutter to trim the mouth part of the silicone inner liner into a wave shape, apply some petroleum jelly or wear layer sock around the mouth ring, check the size selection of the silicone inner liner, rolling wear method and the use of supporting parts, and replace if necessary. Solve the problem by methods such as low-viscosity silicone inner liner.