Researchers studying the effects of three different suspension systems on wearer satisfaction and perceived use found that wearers were the most satisfied with seal-in liners compared with polyethylene foam liners and silicone liners with shuttle locks.
Questionnaires were administered to men with a unilateral transtibial amputation about wearer satisfaction and perceived problems with prosthesis use.
The researchers analyzed the 243 questionnaires returned and determined the study participants were the most satisfied and experienced the fewest problems with the seal-in liner. On a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 being the most satisfied, the seal-in liner received an overall score of 83.10, the locking liner a 75.94 and the polyethylene liner a 63.14.There was significantly less maintenance time reported with the silicone shuttle lock and seal-in liners than the polyethylene foam liner, and wearers experienced more sweating with the silicone and shuttle lock liner.
However, the researchers also found that users of the seal-in liner had greater problems with donning and doffing and that the polyethylene liner was the most durable of the three suspension systems.
“The results of the survey provide a good indication that prosthetic suspension is improved with the seal-in liner as compared with the polyethylene foam liner and silicone liner with shuttle lock,” the authors wrote in the study. “However, further prospective studies are needed to investigate which system provides the most comfort and the least problems for participants.”
For more information:
Ali S. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2012;doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2012.04.024.
Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
