Selection and precautions of silicone inner bushing
Manufacturers make silicone liner sleeves into different standard specifications and models to suit different conditions of residual limbs and activity levels. The correct selection of silicone liner sleeves can bring the greatest benefit to amputees. The selection of silicone liner should take into account the size of the amputee's residual limb, the condition of the soft tissue of the residual limb, the amputee's activity level and the use of accessories.
1. Size selection: Select the matching silicone lining sleeve based on the measured girth and length of the residual limb. The wrong size can cause amputees discomfort, sweating and reduced control of the prosthesis.
2. Soft tissue of residual limbs: The solidity of residual limbs varies, some are fleshy, and some are bony. If the end of the residual limb is fleshy, choose a stable silicone liner, which can control the soft tissue more effectively. If there is a lot of bone at the end of the residual limb, choose a nursing-type silicone liner, which has a thicker pad to cover the protruding bone at the end of the residual limb.
3. Activity level of amputees: Low-intensity activity level refers to daily activities using assistive walking aids, slow and steady walking, such as walking around the house, light walking in the community; medium-intensity activity level refers to daily activities limited to ordinary walking, with the ability to change speed or walking at will, such as going out for shopping, independent outdoor walking; high-intensity activity level refers to daily activities such as fast walking, jogging or walking up and down stairs, such as light carrying work.
4. Silicone liner accessories: The standard silicone liner is designed to be an umbrella-shaped barrel at the end suitable for most residual limb shapes. When the shape of the amputee's residual limb is within an abnormal or irregular range, the residual limb cannot fully contact with the silicone liner. At this time, appropriate accessories can be selected to be used in conjunction with the silicone liner to achieve a consistent shape. Umbrella-shaped pads and half-moon pads are available to suit residual limbs with square, flat or tapered ends.
The residual limb may sweat a lot when you first wear the silicone lining sleeve. In most cases, it will subside or disappear after a period of adaptation and adjustment. The silicone lining sleeve products produced by different manufacturers vary slightly, about a few weeks to a few months. Sweating of the residual limb is also related to increased activity, climate change, etc. Some silicone liners easily absorb body odor and sweat, requiring the wearer to have good hygiene habits and be diligent in cleaning. When resting every night, take off the prosthesis and clean the residual limb and silicone liner with a soft, odorless lotion (approximately pH 5.5). It is best to apply residual limb care solution and let it work overnight. Make sure the skin and silicone liner are dry and clean before wearing it again. If there are signs of allergies on the skin, clean the inner surface of the silicone liner with alcohol or disinfectant, and clean the residual limbs. Do not leave soap pieces on the skin to avoid irritation.
Amputees may encounter some skin problems during the process of wearing silicone lining sleeves, such as proximal and distal blisters, skin surface cysts, patellar redness and swelling, large-area skin irritation, etc. The external factors are mostly mechanical friction, hydration, chemistry and heat, etc., while the internal factors are mostly diseases, allergies, infections, etc. It is recommended to use a special cutter to trim the mouth-shaped part of the silicone lining sleeve into a wavy shape, apply some Vaseline or wear a layer of socks near the mouth-shaped circle, check the size selection of the silicone lining sleeve, the rolling wearing method and the use of supporting parts. If necessary, replace the silicone lining sleeve with low viscosity and other methods to solve the problem.