question for cp's and ak's

[E. Rene Rodriguez, M.D.]

Hi again Anita:

That feeling of you skin pulling away is what the prosthetists call a slow
leak through a "channel". The channel is minute (almost a virtual cavity)
but lets the air in just as efficient as a large hole.  Every individual is
different but they tend to occur in the areas where the muscles have natural
fascial planes, where one muscle can slide over another muscle just a bit,
and the overlying skin and subcutanuos tisse can, in turn, slide along and
pull away from the flexible part of the socket.  Although I've been a member
of this "club" only for a little more than 1 1/4 years I have snooped around
with my prosthetist, his partners and colleagues from several facilities in
Chicago.  These slow "leaks" while changig position are a little bit of a
challenge to fix.  Early on while I was still undergoing atrophy
(particularly the latera and postero/lateral mucles, because those are the
ones we, AK's don't use as much as extensors flexors and adductors) we (my
prosthetist and I) had a period of several weeks of trial and error with
those liners until he crafted the right liner to hold the vaccum just right,
witouth becoming too tight or uncomfortable.

Re: Self bleeding valve:  According to my prosthetist, is a new model in the
market (they just found out about it about 6 - 8 months ago). I just took it
off the socket, but not a clue about the manufacturer on it. I you want,
I'll find out who is theis suplyer and let you know.

I hope this helps to figure out the source of the leak and fix it.  Good
luck, I know, it IS anoying

> -----Original Message-----
> From: AMP-L-owner at u.washington.edu
> [mailto:AMP-L-owner at u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Ranitak at aol.com
> Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 1999 6:15 PM
> To: Amputee Information Network
> Subject: Re: question for cp's and ak's
>
>
> thanks rene,
> am going to try different pads tomorrow.
> as for the self bleeding valve,, hmmm, something tells me i tried
> one once,
> but didn't like it. i've been an amp for 15+ yrs, so it might've
> crossed my
> path. but i'm definitely going to check into it again.
> thanks,
> :)
> anita
>
>
> In a message dated 99-03-30 16:53:57 EST, you write:
>
> <<  But instead you may just
>  need liner in that area, between the flexible socket and the hard
>  shell.  Also, you may want to ask your prosthetist about a self bleeding
>  valve, they are easy to replace. They work like a charm and do not leak.
>  They bleed themselves as soon as you put weight on the prosthesis. They
>  make no difference while walking. I like mine a lot.
>  Rene >>
>