 |
Long Transfemoral Amputation + Flexion Contracture + Shuttle Lock = Fabrication Nightmare
|
RapidFit Adapter lets you bolt on a shuttle lock anteriorly while placing the knee posteriorly, even in the presence of hip flexion contractures up to 10 degrees
|
|
I made some presentations recently at POINT Health Centers of America "Links to Learning" meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio and spotted a new piece of hardware that was developed by an Ohio practitioner to facilitate the use of shuttle lock suspension for long transfemoral sockets, even in the presence of significant hip flexion contractures. The RapidFit Adapter is available in three configurations that are preset to accommodate 5, 10, and 15 degrees of socket preflexion.
One of the more difficult considerations when using a shuttle lock system for transfemoral suspension is that the long axis of the residual limb and the biomechanically optimal position of the prosthetic knee center are never congruent. For this reason, the shuttle lock/pyramid adapters that work so well for transfemoral cases are often unsuitable for this level.
The more socket flexion the patient requires, or the more stable the knee position must be, the greater the magnitude of this discrepancy. The feeble, elderly gentleman with a moderate pre-existing hip flexion contracture who now has a long transfemoral amputation is the worst-case scenario.
|
RapidFit kit includes a stiff foam spacer and a machined alloy part that can be thermoformed into the test socket
|
|
Shorter residual limbs often allow enough room to place the knee adapter separately from the shuttle lock, but this can be a real struggle for the long transfemoral case. The RapidFit Adapter offers a novel solution to this fabrication nightmare.
The sample prosthesis on display at the PEL booth included a clear thermoplastic test socket that was drape molded to incorporate the RapidFit Adapter. A small piece of pre-shaped semi-rigid foam fills the void between the socket and the Adapter, simplifying fabrication and keeping the weight to a minimum.
The final result is about as compact as it possible with a shuttle lock and a long residual limb. According to the instructions in the kit, you can also laminate it into a definitive prosthesis and cover it with a one or two-piece protective foam cosmesis.
|
RapidFit Adapter aligns the shuttle lock with the long axis of the socket yet places the knee center well posterior to TKA. Knee stability can be decreased by adding socket flexion to move the trochanter posteriorly.
|
|
For more information, go to www.swansonopcenter.com/rapidfit.htm or to the PEL web site at
www.pelsupply.com
|
|
Devisnig Arm Functional Levels
I continue to be thrilled with working in the South Seas. New Zealand's socialised medical scheme offers many strong benefits for its amputees. And what's more, the weather here is nothing like what you get back in the Mid-West: Paradise.... read more
|
Re: Devisnig Arm Functional Levels
Hi Jamison- Glad to hear you are enjoying KiwiLand. I'd hoped to make it to the recent world conference, but I had other obligations on this side of the globe that week. To the best of my knowledge, no one in North America is working on ... read more
|
|
|
Fallecimiento del colega Roberto Calderón Márquez, O. P. 1950 - 2002
Estimado John Michael C. O. P. FAAOP:
Nos permitimos informar con mucha tristeza, a toda la comunidad de Ortésistas y Protesistas de América Latina, que el día 20 de Julio, 2002, falleció nuestro amigo y colega Roberto Calderón Márquez O. ... read more
|
Re: Fallecimiento del colega Roberto Calderón Márquez, O. P. 1950 - 2002
May he rest in peace. --John Michael CPO
|
|
|
Comentario Rapidfit
Apreciado Colega: Tengo la presuncion que el socket que aparece en el trabajo presentado para este componente es dercho y el pie es izquierdo. Puede explicarme la razon, o es un error ?. Atte: R. Nessi. PO.
|
Re: Comentario Rapidfit
Excellent observation, Sr. Nessi! The photos are from a display model, not from an actual patient. It appears that the folks at PEL only had a left foot handy so they used it temporarily at the Ohio meeting even though the socket is for a... read more
|
|
Re: Re: Comentario Rapidfit
Apreciado Colega, gracias por su respuesta. Atte: R. Nessi. PO.
|
|
|
Leyendas en Español:
Ciudad de México 1° de Julio, 2002.
Estimado John Michael: le envío este comentario para solicitarle que las leyendas abajo de las fotografías también aparezcan en Español, en la Edición de Julio de la Esquina de John Michael. En la traduc... read more
|
Re: Leyendas en Español:
Thanks for calling this to my attention, Alberto. It seems that the folks at OANDP.COM were working into the wee hours of the night when they set up this month's corner. In addition to omitting the legends in Spanish, we also wound up wit... read more
|
|
Re: Re: Leyendas en Español:
Ciudad de Mexico 2 de Julio, 2002.
Felicitamos a los compañeros de OANDP.COM por la rápida corrección en La Esquina de John Michael del mes de Julio. !Son unos verdaderos profesionales! Asimismo, el breve video clip del paciente utilizando... read more
|
|
Re: Re: Re: Leyendas en Español:
Glad you found the video clip valuable. I think this will be the 'Decade of Stance Control Orthoses' and that these options will gradually change the way we practice as orthotists by making KAFOs more effective treatment for a wider array ... read more
|
|
|
|
|
