 Are you curious about prosthetic socks and how they work? Do you use ply socks or deal with someone who uses them daily? If yes, then you've landed on the right page. Here we’ll tell you about the selection, uses, maintenance, and other crucial aspects of prosthetic stump socks.
The prosthetic systems have several components, stump socks being the most crucial. One can't directly connect the amputee part of the body with the prosthetic. Linking the prosthetic directly with the skin causes blisters and ulcers in worse cases. Prosthetic components like liners, sheaths, and snug-fit stump socks are beneficial for avoiding friction. In this blog, we’ll discuss how to select the best snug-fit sock, use it and maintain it for future use. Why do people use prosthetic socks Prosthetic snug-fit socks are a common commodity for people who have lost a limb. They prevent your skin from getting in contact with the prosthesis. Here are some of the main utilizations of these socks:
Prosthetic socks are crucial in compensating for the change in limb size and shape and help in prosthetic rehabilitation. How to choose the best fit for prosthetic socks Like the human physique variations, stump socks come in various sizes, shapes, and designs. You can also choose thickness and length as per your requirements. For optimal comfort, select the size and consider the ply of socks. Ply tells you how thick the socks are. Knowing the total ply value that fits your limb, you can select the best prosthetic stump socks. Learn more about ply socks and their material here. The residual limbs tend to shrink and swell, so a single-ply sock doesn't always fit someone. It needs modifications. Add and subtract the ply numbers to make your socks fit precisely. When your leg shrinks, you’ll need to add the ply number; conversely, when your leg swells, you’ll need to subtract the ply number. If you need to learn about your total ply, you can take help from an orthotics and prosthetics expert. How to use prosthetic socks Before using, make sure you have the most suitable prosthetic socks.
Maintenance of prosthetic socks To maintain the prosthetic accessories, you first have to get used to them. In the beginning, it’s very troublesome to use socks. People get irritated by the constant existence of such things on their bodies. Make sure you take time to adjust the socks, and don't give up. Quick tip; Buy socks in bundles: It’s always wise to buy socks in bundles and sets to keep changing them according to your needs. You’ll notice that the people who use prosthetics carry separate bags for different accessories and have a lot of different-sized socks. Here are some tips for the maintenance of socks:
It’s eco-friendly to reuse ply socks and also saves you money. Cleaning socks regularly and adequately can serve the purpose. The manufacturers always add cleaning instructions pamphlets with the socks; you should always read them carefully and follow them. One crucial tip about cleaning socks is washing them by hand; cold water prevents shrinking possibilities. Follow these steps to clean your socks properly:
Final thoughts Prosthetic socks are a blessed invention for people with amputee limbs. These are uniquely designed 3D prosthetic components knitted with special machines. The volume of the residual limb fluctuates when it shrinks or swells. Prosthetic stump socks add comfort, protect from abrasions and bruises and accommodate the volume of a limb. You can only get optimum comfort if you know the total ply and wear the most appropriate socks. Here we help people with finding the perfect sock match for them. Becoming an amputee can be scary if you don't access the correct information. Check out the answers to FAQs of new amputees here. Learn more about our services here.
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 Pectus Carinatum is the chest wall deformity in which the breastbone jutted outwards. It affects up to two in every 1,000 children and is most commonly found in boys. Pectus carinatum is also known as a keel chest or pigeon chest. Let’s dive deep and learn about its causes and treatments.
Pectus carinatum usually happens during rapid growth in children aged ten and older. It causes the chest's top, side, or bottom to grow abnormally. The chest wall grows outwards symmetrically or asymmetrically. It causes deformity of the average body shape, and spine curving (Scoliosis) may occur. Genetics and Inheritance have a role in such types of disorders. Our experts can help you to find out the main reason behind this disease and can treat it with efficiency. Book an appointment with Align-Clinic, and let our experts help you. What Causes Pectus Carinatum? Typically, the cartilage that connects the ribs grows flat with the chest. But in pectus carinatum, these cartilage tissues grow abnormally, causing unequal growth in the areas where ribs connect to the sternum. It may appear when the breastbone grows too much. And it also happens following open-heart surgery. It has mainly two types. One is called ‘‘chicken breast’’, where the lower and middle portions of the chest grow outwards. The second type is named ‘’Pouter pigeon breast’’. Here, the upper portion of the chest grows forward, and the chest forms a Z-shape. A patient with pectus carinatum has no symptoms other than chest sticking out. A patient can also face stiffness in the chest and sometimes mild pain in the rib cage. Pectus carinatum can cause several problems, as discussed below. What Are The Problems Pectus Carinatum Can Cause? Your rib cage covers the principal organs of your body. Any deformity in its shape can cause problems, such as:
How Can You Treat Pectus Carinatum Treatment? To diagnose pectus carinatum, a doctor examines the growth of the chest with the help of X-rays. A doctor may check for breathing tests to examine how well the patient's lungs work. They may have a blood test to rule out genetic causes. After the diagnosis, the doctor can suggest two ways to treat pectus carinatum. 1. Chest-Wall Brace Patients with moderate pectus carinatum can be treated with the help of using braces known as Pigeon Chest Brace. It is equipment that applies gentle pressure to the chest wall without discomfort. Braces work best for children as they have soft and flexible chest walls. The braces need to be worn every single day. It’s a lengthy procedure and may take up to two years, depending on the patient’s age and the stiffness of the bone. The breastbone gradually gains its standard shape, but remember that the braces should be worn as directed. The more hours spent wearing, the more likely to get results fast. How Braces Works Due to the flexibility in the bones of children, bracing takes advantage and exerts pressure on the ribs and sternum to reshape them. Various pectus carinatum braces, such as DCS (Dynamic Compression System), are available on the market. DCS is an external chest brace that applies measurable pressure to the chest area to treat pectus carinatum. The braces are adjusted to a standard pressure to maximize the brace's comfort and minimize skin complications. The braces consist of two aluminum plates. One plate will fit against the breastbone, while the other will be adjusted to the middle of the back. The front plate works by putting pressure on the parts of the chest that are jutted outwards. At the same time, the other plate keeps the brace secure and stable. What Are The Disadvantages Of Using Pigeon Chest Brace? Wearing the chest brace does not cause any health issues for the patient. But it might create some other problems, such as:
If the redness on the skin isn’t going away, you should consult your doctor. What Are the Advantages of Using Pigeon Chest Brace? On the other hand, bracing has incredible benefits compared to the surgical method. Using braces has an edge due to the following reasons:
If the patient's bones are too stiff, then a pediatric surgeon may recommend a surgical procedure called the Ravitch technique. The Ravitch technique involves cutting away the abnormal rib cartilage and flattening the sternum. A doctor only recommends this method to those who have severe symptoms. Sometimes, a surgeon needs to break the breastbone to reposition it. Final Thoughts No disease should be taken lightly. Feel free to reach out to one of our experts if any of the symptoms of pectus carinatum appears. It may cause severe problems in the long term if left untreated. Our professionals at Align-Clinic can help you to treat pectus carinatum effectively. Your health and satisfaction mean a lot to us. Check out some happy words from our past patients, who trusted Align-clinic and are now living an enjoyable and healthy life.  Who said that a missing limb limits one’s life? If anything, it makes you more full of life than ever.
Moreover, with the advanced developments in the HealthTech industry, it’s only a matter of weeks before you get back on your feet (literally and metaphorically). People opt for prosthetic implants or prostheses to mend or fill in for their lost body part - usually one of the limbs - with an artificial device. In this procedure, external mechanical joints are attached to the region of amputation due to various conditions, often at birth. Prosthetic implants require care and vigilance. Prosthetic socks are designed to cater to such troubles. For every amputee's condition, there is a pair of socks with a suitable thickness and cloth type. Prosthetic Socks Prosthetic socks are worn over the amputated limbs that have gone through prostheses. As the acceptance of prosthetic implantation grows, so does the awareness and search volume for prosthetic socks. These socks are not like your regular ones! Prosthetic socks are made to serve essential functions with their distinct shape and variety in length and size. Why Does One Need Prosthetic Socks? These socks play a significant role in the management of prosthetics. The thick fabric provides cushioning to the mechanical joint and reduces friction. Prosthetic socks also help keep the joint intact. They adjust the socket's fit to prevent the residual limb's internal changes from being visible. These changes occur due to the shrinkage of muscles in the suffering limb. The shrinkage, in turn, is because of the atrophy of the amputated limb. What difference do Prosthetic Socks make? Prosthetic socks protect the skin around the amputated region from the harshness of pressure, air, and friction. Additionally, they even absorb sweat in the region so that the moisture doesn’t itch the skin. Prosthetic Socks Materials Prosthetic socks, unlike regular socks, offer a range of choices in material. Cotton, wool, and synthetics are some common materials for prosthetic socks. Another significant factor for prosthetic socks is their thickness. It’s usually measured in “ply rating,” starting from one to six. By changing the ply number of the socks, the size of the residual limb can be altered. Wool Wool is ideal for its absorbency and comfortability. The resilience of this material provides a cushion for the amputee and ensures the utmost comfort when worn. It’s the most popular fabric because of its capacity to absorb sweat and moisture from the region. Cotton Due to its low absorbency, and rigid and non-stretchable nature, cotton has limited prosthetic applications. Yet, its antiallergic nature makes it a safer option for many skin types. Synthetic Fibres The most popular combination of man-made fiber along with natural fiber. An all-synthetic sock is that of polypropylene and Lycra. This commendable fusion ensures moisture absorption and a comfortable fit. Lycra’s stretchability and elasticity can easily be catered to troubles like edema and atrophy. Wool is also being fused with man-made fibers to prepare cost-effective socks for amputees. These socks get the softness and resiliency of the wool but with extra stretch. Nylon Sheath Nylon, with its characteristic ability to resist moisture, is a profound material for prosthetic socks. It also limits friction. Prosthetic Liners Just like prosthetic socks, prosthetic liners serve a similar function, only in a different form. These are not worn around the skin in a typical “sock” manner. Instead, they simply secure the areas in contact, providing an interface. To ensure protection and proper fit, it won’t be wrong to call these liners “barriers” worn before the prosthetics. Prosthetic Liner Materials Primarily, there are three main types of prosthetic liners, depending on their material. There are two ways by which the quality of a liner can be analyzed with: - Their degree of softness, and - The level of durability Thermoplastic Elastromer Liner The TPE liners are very soft for their material and are typically used by fresh amputees only looking for comfort. Its rubbery outer provides the ideal cushion for the severed region and protects the skin from friction. However, the gel that ensures the softness with TPE liners may soon get worn out. Due to this, TPE liners for prosthetics are not as durable. Silicon Liner Silicon liners lie somewhere near average in both softness and durability. However, if your priority is softness, silicon liners are better when compared to TPE liners. Urethane Liner Urethane liners are the least soft among their predecessors. However, urethane is known for its flow property, thus making it significant at rest. The flow property allows the gel of the liner to distribute pressure evenly, enabling a better fit. A Urethane liner is the most suitable option for people that require high activity. FAQ's How to clean Prosthetic Socks, and how often should I do it? Timely washing of the socks keeps them free from bacterial growth. On hot days, changing socks regularly keep the region free from allergies and itching. It’s recommended to hand-wash prosthetic socks with mild soap. When to change the ply of Prosthetic Socks? Ply setting is totally upon the user and can be changed according to the demand. However, you should refrain from wearing a ply that is loose to you. If you find a specific ply setting loose, add a ply; if it’s tight, remove one. How to choose between Prosthetic Liners and Prosthetic Socks? Many users tend to “pick” between a prosthetic liner and a pair of prosthetic socks. However, both products hold separate and distinct functions, depending on the user’s needs. Depending on the demand, a prosthetic liner can even be used along with prosthetic socks. When to dispose of a liner? The lifespan of prosthetic liners often depends on the material it’s made of. TPE liners have less durability. Hence they should be disposed of when they no longer cushion the region. For other durable materials, a prosthetic liner should be replaced every six months. Top-Notch Limb Protection Prosthetic socks or prosthetic liners are a must-have to keep your limb’s end protected from the friction of the prosthetic, along with the harsh environment. Prosthetic socks are an ideal choice if you wish to have protection and cushioning. However, liners will be the perfect investment if your primary concern is providing a barrier between the limb and the prosthetic. |
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