Above Knee
Above Knee Suspension
Above knee prosthetics come in different styles to suit particular lifestyles. From beginner above knee prosthetics, to ones suited for the more active individuals, Deist and Associates can cater to all of our patients’ needs.
Prosthetic legs are fitted at our practice by our team of professionals once the residual limb is ready. A prosthetic sock is fitted beforehand to ensure that the above knee prosthetic stays dry, hygienic and comfortable for the patient. Once the prosthetic leg has been fitted, the patient will be given significant physio, training, and practice sessions to gain confidence on their new leg/legs.
Suspension refers to the way your prosthesis “holds” on to you, so that it does not fall off. Suspension plays a vital role because it give you a sense of security and the confidence to walk without fear of your prosthesis coming off or shifting.
There are different ways of achieving effective suspension, but your residual limb length and size has an influence on the choice we make.
Particularly long and short residual limbs have to be treated differently. The general rule is that it is easier to work with a longer residual limb.
We have systems that form a vacuum, so that the prosthesis essentially sucks onto you. This is the most commonly used method of suspension.
There is also a pin system available. This means your silicone liner has a pin at the end of the liner, which lines up with a lock inside your prosthesis when you don your prosthetic leg.
For short to very short residual limbs, we use a special elevated vacuum system and a double socket system to suspend the prosthesis. Silicone liners need to be well taken care of and must be replaced once a year.
Knee Joints
The prosthetic knee joint is one of the most critical components of the prosthesis. Replacing the exceedingly complex human knee has been an ongoing challenge since the beginning of modern prosthetics.
A prosthetic knee has to mimic the function of a normal knee joint while providing stability and safety at a reasonable weight and cost. Developing such a knee requires familiarity with normal gait, because that is the basis for understanding an above-knee amputee’s gait.
There is a huge range of prosthetic knee joints available. The final choice will depend on your budget, age, activity levels, expectations and length of your residual limb.
At the Deist Prosthetic Centre, we are trained and have the experience to work with any type of knee joint, from your basic mechanical knee joint, pneumatic or hydraulic knee joints, all the way to your micro – processor knee joints.
Socket Design
If it doesn’t fit correctly, you can experience pain, sores and blisters. The prosthesis will feel heavy and cumbersome. Also, your mobility may be compromised, or the prosthesis could even end up at the back of your closet.
Socket design technology has come a long way since the days of hard plastic and wooden sockets. With the emergence of contoured sockets that fit every aspect of the residual limb, amputees are more comfortable and mobile than ever before. This type of socket evenly distributes weight across the entire surface of the residual limb, eliminating pressure points. Flexible, lightweight materials enable the socket to bend and expand along with the patient’s residual limb.
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