SILICONE BLADDER SUSPENSION FOR THE WRIST DISARTICULATION LEVEL AMPUTEE USING A MINI PUMP SYSTEM TO ALTER VOLUMETRIC PRESSURE INSIDE THE SOCKET

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to describe an alternative fitting technique for the wrist disarticulation amputee. The socket design utilizes a silicone bladder contained in a sealed chamber with a one-way expulsion valve and built in mini pump. This design allows the volumetric pressure inside the socket to be controlled by the amount of air inside the chamber. Once the limb is positioned inside of the socket, the pump can be used to fill the chamber with air and apply controlled volumetric pressure throughout the entire length of the flexible bladder. The pump can also be configured to expand the bladder, and then the one-way release valve can be depressed to the appropriate level of compression. The two patients that have been fit with this system stated improved comfort and optimized suspension. This system provides the patient with the ability to alter the socket fit according to the desired activity.