ADJUSTABLE-VOLUME PROSTHETIC SOCKETS: MARKET OVERVIEW AND VALUE PROPOSITIONS

The prosthetic socket is commonly considered to be the most important part of the prosthesis and lack of fit can lead to skin breakdown, reduction in wear, reduction in activity, and consequential deleterious health effects. Furthermore, approximately 90% of amputations are due to a vascular etiology, which affect fluid retention regularity, and even small limb volume fluctuations can lead to lack of fit. Adjustability in the socket volume has been suggested as a potential solution to common fit issues but has lacked market penetration mostly due to lack of reimbursement. Despite this there are several adjustable-volume sockets emerging on the market today including prefabricated, modular, custom with adjustable-volume component, custom with adjustable-volume feature, and adjustable-hybrid sockets. Prefabricated sockets are mass produced in common sizes and fit directly to the patient by a prosthetist using pad kits, BOA dials, or straps. Modular sockets are assembled to a patient or model with panels or struts attached to an adjustable base. Custom sockets with adjustable-volume elements are traditionally-fabricated sockets made to a model of a patient’s limb with a volume-adjustable component added or volume-adjustable feature built in. Custom-hybrid sockets are made custom to a model of the patient’s limb and incorporate several aspects of the previous socket types and include some radically-unique design aspects which cannot be limited to one category. These adjustable-volume sockets offer several advantages to traditional rigid-volume sockets for the patient, prosthetist, and providing clinic. The micro-adjustability for the patient allows them to alter fit without removing the socket, maintaining a more intimate fit throughout the day than traditional sockets. The macro-adjustability for the prosthetist allows for increased options for fit customization including the ability to reverse or undo changes without necessarily re-making the socket. This allows for the most optimal fit for the patient. Adjustable volume also present efficiencies in the fitting process by simplifying or eliminating steps including residual limb shape capture, form modification, diagnostic fabrication, iterative alteration, and definitive fabrication with the different socket types affecting different steps. Due to these factors, adjustable-volume sockets have disrupted the market to the point where reimbursement reform is needed including additional L-codes in the United States and fee-for-service or fee-for-outcome associated with prosthetic follow-up care. Prosthetic care should also be separated from durable medical equipment to allow for alternative reimbursement models. As reimbursement adapts prosthetists must adapt correspondingly to differentiate their skillset from other allied health providers including incorporating more objective methods to show superior care outcomes. This adaptation should include a continued push for state and municipal licensure of prosthetists. Article PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/35208/28346 How To Cite: Klenow TD, Schulz J. Adjustable-volume prosthetic sockets: market overview and value propositions. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2021; Volume 4, Issue 2, No.17 https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v4i2.35208 Corresponding Author: Tyler D. Klenow, MSPO, MBA, CLPO, FAAOPMartin Bionics Clinical CareE-Mail: [email protected] ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6372-2241

Use of a Novel Silicone-Acrylic Drape with Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Four Patients with Periwound Skin Breakdown

Introduction. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is applied using a foam dressing and an adhesive acrylic drape to create a seal. Removal of this drape can be painful and may play a role in periwound skin breakdown during dressing changes. A novel silicone-acrylic hybrid drape (HA-drape) has been developed for use with NPWT to allow for repositioning after initial placement and easier removal. Objective. This retrospective case series reports on the use of HA-drape in 4 patients who experienced periwound skin breakdown. The goal was to minimize skin breakdown while maintaining a seal on the dressing. Materials and Methods. Four patients with mild to moderate periwound skin breakdown were selected to receive NPWT with HA-drape. Negative pressure wound therapy was applied using a reticulated open cell foam dressing followed by placement of HA-drape to create a seal. Negative pressure wound therapy was initiated at -125 mm Hg with dressing changes occurring every 2 days. Wound healing, periwound healing, and patient-reported pain were assessed at dressing changes. Results. All 4 patients showed significant periwound skin improvement after the first dressing change. All patients reported a decrease in pain with dressing removal. Conclusions. In these 4 patients' wounds, use of NPWT with HA-drape resulted in intact periwound with improved periwound skin healing and reduction in patient-reported pain associated with dressing changes.

Prevention and management of moisture-associated skin damage

Disruption to the integrity of the skin can reduce patient wellbeing and quality of life. A major cause of skin breakdown is prolonged exposure to moisture, but this is often overlooked. When skin is wet, it becomes more susceptible to damage from friction and shearing forces, and skin flora can penetrate the disrupted barrier, causing further irritation and inflammation. If untreated, moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) can rapidly lead to excoriation and skin breakdown. MASD includes incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD), which is caused by prolonged skin exposure to urine and stool, particularly liquid stool. For patients at a high risk of developing IAD, preventive measures should be instituted as soon as possible. The main one is to prevent excessive contact of the skin with moisture. Optimal skin care should be provided to patients with any form of MASD. It should be based on a structured regimen and include the use of a gentle skin cleanser, a barrier product and moisturiser. Derma Protective Plus is a liquid barrier that gives long-lasting protection against chafing or ingress of urine and stool into the skin. This product is less greasy than others, and provides a barrier and a healing environment, with resistance to further maceration from IAD or persistent loose stools.

Skin problems in palliative care

Nursing aspects of palliative wound care are driven by patient and family goals integrated with three components of wound management: the management or palliation of the underlying cause of the wound, management of wound-related symptoms, and management of the wound and peri-wound skin. Wounds most commonly encountered include pressure ulcers, fungating malignant wounds, and fistulae. Patients with blistering skin conditions, inherited and acquired, have extensive long-standing wounds and palliative care needs. In addition, meticulous skin care for patients of all ages with debilitating long-term conditions is crucial to prevent unnecessary skin breakdown. The symptoms and local problems associated with broken skin and wounds include odour, exudate, excoriation, maceration, bleeding, pain, and pruritus. Key clinical interventions include the application of wound dressings and skin care products. Unless these are managed effectively and consistently, body image and feelings of self-worth are affected together with the ability to socialize and maintain function, including, for some people, employment.

Case Series: Reversal of Diabetic Neuropathy Utilizing Physiologic Insulin Resensitization

Diabetes is a growing global problem that is currently on the rise. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic condition that results from aberrant B-cell function coupled with progressive insulin resistance. The majority of Type 2 diabetic patients develop diabetic neuropathy, which can lead to devastating complications (i.e., infection, ulceration, osteomyelitis, & amputation). The proinflammatory state of diabetes, along with prolonged hyperglycemia damages peripheral nerves (most common in the lower extremities). Additionally, compromised wound healing exacerbates the risk when skin breakdown occurs in this patient population. To overcome these risks for T2D, physiologic insulin resensitization (PIR) has been used as a novel protocol to treat patients with severe neuropathy symptoms. In our case study, we present two patients who initially experienced a loss of sensation in their extremities and decreased wound healing. Using PIR treatment, we demonstrate that both patients experienced neuropathy reversal and improved wound healing.

Preliminary results on the effects of orthopedic implant stiffness fixed to the cut end of the femur on the stress at the stump-prosthetic interface

A lot of trans-femoral amputation patients experience skin breakdown due to the pressures and shear stresses in the stump-prosthesis interface. In this study, a finite element model was employed to investigate the stresses at the stump interface in the case of an orthopedic implant fixed to the cut end of the femur. By changing the stiffness of this implant, we aim to see how the stiffness of this implant affects the stresses in the interface between the amputated limb and the prosthesis. To find out the effects of implant stiffness, five values for the elastic modulus, ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 Mpa, with an interval of 0.1 Mpa were employed in the implant structure of the FE model. Obtained results show that the implant played important role in reducing the stresses at the stump-prosthesis interface where the contact pressure did not exceed 53 Kpa and 17.3 Kpa for shear stress in the stiffer case of an implant, while the contact pressure in the case of femur without implant exceeded 79Kpa and 42 Kpa for shear stress. We also noted that the intensity of the contact pressure and the shear stress is proportional to the stiffness of the implant, as the greater the implant stiffness, the higher the peak of these stresses.

A Fixed, Unreducible, Unstable Medial Swivel Dislocation of the Talonavicular Joint with Associated Navicular Fracture

A 32-year-old white male was on a second-story balcony when he fell off and landed on the cement below. With initial X-rays being read as negative on the radiology report due to the subtle nature of the injury, the patient was promptly diagnosed with a medial swivel dislocation by the orthopaedic team, which ended up being fixed, unstable, and irreducible. The patient also had acute skin compromise and needed to be taken to the operating room prior to progression of skin breakdown. This dislocation pattern is a rare variant, especially when paired with the fixed nature of the dislocation and the soft tissue compromise. In the end, open treatment was necessary in order to reduce the talonavicular joint. Because of early recognition and prompt treatment, skin breakdown was avoided. Internal screw fixation of the fractured navicular bone was needed along with K-wire insertion to hold the normal anatomy of the talonavicular joint reduced. All hardware was ultimately removed after healing, and anatomy was restored with excellent patient function. This case report highlights the orthopaedic knowledge needed to not only recognize this rare fracture-dislocation pattern but to also treat it promptly when encountered.

SELF-MANAGEMENT IN PERSONS WITH LIMB LOSS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

BACKGROUND: Self-management is an integral component of managing long-term conditions and diseases. For a person with limb loss, this self-management process involves caring for the residual limb, the prosthesis, and the prosthetic socket-residual limb interface. Failure to properly self-manage can result in unwanted secondary complications such as skin breakdown, falls, or non-use of the prosthesis. However, there is little evidence on what self-management interventions are effective at preventing secondary complications. To understand the impact of self-management after the loss of a limb, it is necessary to determine what the current evidence base supports. OBJECTIVE(S): The purpose of this study is to examine the available literature on self-management interventions and/or outcomes for persons with limb loss and describe how it may impact residual limb health or prosthesis use. METHODOLOGY: A systematic review of multiple databases was carried out using a variety of search terms associated with self-management. The results were reviewed and selected based on the inclusion criteria: self-management interventions or direct outcomes related to self-management, which includes the skin integrity of the residual limb, problem-solving the fit of the prosthesis, and education in the prevention of secondary complications associated with prosthesis use. The Cincinnati Childrens’ LEGEND (Let Evidence Guide Every New Decision) appraisal forms were used to analyze the articles and assign grades. FINDINGS: Out of the 40 articles identified for possible inclusion in this study, 33 were excluded resulting in seven articles being selected for this review. Three out of the seven articles focused on silicone liner management while the other four articles focused on skin issues. CONCLUSION: Self-management for a person with limb loss is a key component of preventing complications associated with loss of limb and prosthesis use. There is a lack of high-quality experimental studies exploring the most appropriate intervention for teaching self-management when compared to other conditions, specifically diabetes. Further research in the area of self-management is necessary to understand how to best prevent unwanted secondary complications. Layman's Abstract Self-management is an integral component of managing long-term conditions and diseases. Self-management for a person with limb loss involves performing proper hygiene of the residual limb, caring for the prosthesis, and problem-solving the fit between the prosthetic socket and the residual limb. If a person with limb loss fails to correctly self-manage, they may be exposing themselves to the risk of skin breakdown or injury. Other medical diagnoses like diabetes emphasize self-management in the care of persons with the condition and have established a large body of knowledge surrounding this element of lifestyle adaption. However, in the case of limb loss, there is very little evidence to support how self-management is taught or performed. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the body of literature surrounding self-management in persons with limb loss. The results indicate that there is very little evidence supporting self-management related interventions and that further research is required in this area. With the addition of further research, clinical practice can be improved and self-management interventions can become standardized across the spectrum of care, much like in diabetes care. Article PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/35098/27909 How To Cite: Lee DJ, Repole T, Taussig E, Edwards S, Misegades J, Guerra J, Lisle A. Self-management in persons with limb loss: A systematic review. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2021;Volume 4, Issue 1, No.5. https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v4i1.35098 Corresponding Author: Daniel J. Lee, PT, PhD, DPT, GCS, COMTTouro College, Department of Physical Therapy, Bayshore, NY USA.Email:[email protected] ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1805-2936

Clinical Processes and Symptom Management

This section describes condition-based clinical processes and symptom management. Shortness of breath, chest tightness, and air hunger (dyspnea) are often associated with findings of anxiety, panic, desperation, or impending doom. These symptoms are often more distressing than pain. As such, it is suggested to never delay palliative treatment for any reason. The section then explores the management of anorexia and cachexia; belching and burping (eructation); bleeding, draining, and malodorous lesions; confusion/delirium; constipation; coughing; depression; diarrhea and anorectal problems; dysphagia and oropharyngeal problems; and edema. It also looks at fatigue and weakness (aesthenia); fever and diaphoresis; hiccups; imminent death; insomnia and nocturnal restlessness; nausea and vomiting; pain; pruritus; seizures; skeletal muscle and bladder spasms; skin breakdown; urinary problems; and xerostomia (dry mouth).

Compression and tension behavior of the prosthetic foam materials polyurethane, EVA, Pelite™ and a combination of polyurethane and EVA: a preliminary study

Materials with low-strength and low-impedance properties, such as elastomers and polymeric foams are major contributors to prosthetic liner design. Polyethylene-Light (Pelite™) is a foam liner that is the most frequently used in prosthetics but it does not cater to all amputees’ limb and skin conditions. The study aims to investigate the newly modified Foam Liner, a combination of two different types of foams (EVA + PU + EVA) as the newly modified Foam Liner in terms of compressive and tensile properties in comparison to Pelite™, polyurethane (PU) foam, and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam. Universal testing machine (AGS-X, Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan) has been used to measure the tensile and compressive stress. Pelite™ had the highest compressive stress at 566.63 kPa and tensile stress at 1145 kPa. Foam Liner fell between EVA and Pelite™ with 551.83 kPa at compression and 715.40 kPa at tension. PU foam had the lowest compressive stress at 2.80 kPa and tensile stress at 33.93 kPa. Foam Liner has intermediate compressive elasticity but has high tensile elasticity compared to EVA and Pelite™. Pelite™ remains the highest in compressive and tensile stiffness. Although it is good for amputees with bony prominence, constant pressure might result in skin breakdown or ulcer. Foam Liner would be the best for amputees with soft tissues on the residual limbs to accommodate movement.