What do I do if my prosthesis locking pin gets jammed?

Question:

What can I do if my locking pin gets jammed by a foreign object, and I am stuck in my prosthesis?   Andy

ANSWER:

If your prosthesis is equipped with a push button mechanism which releases your silicone liner to allow you to take off your prosthesis, this mechanism is called a shuttle lock. 

Over the years we have seen shuttle locks get jammed with foreign objects such as paper clips, craft paper and even a chunk of coal!  Usually it is a frayed sock, and the fabric gets caught, or the sock is donned in haste and not pulled up to expose the pin, resulting in the pin and sock being pulled into the locking hole. 

RULES OF THUMB to avoid the lock becoming jammed: 

1.  Do not allow the shuttle lock to become dirty.  Build-up of dirt may cause the lock to malfunction. You should attempt to keep water, sand and dirt out of the socket.

2.  Your socks were specifically made with holes in the bottom.  This hole will allow the pin, located at the bottom of your liner, to be completely exposed.  

3.  Always pull socks on completely, no wrinkles allowed!  Socks which are not pulled up allow the opportunity for the pin and the sock to become jammed inside the locking mechanism.  

4. The lock should be inspected and cleaned by a prosthetist every year.  

IF THE LOCK JAMS:

Do not panic and try to pull yourself out of the prosthesis.  Water may be used as a release agent.  Here is what you do:

  • Get a glass of cold water. 
  • Pour the water between your skin and the liner. 
  • Work the water around the liner to cover as much surface as possible.
  • Gently work your limb out of the liner.  You may have to add water several times as you gently work your leg out of the liner.

Do not attempt to fix a damaged lock yourself. Call your prosthetist for service. 

- Mark Treasure, CP, BOCO

Do you have a question you would like to Ask Us? Email us at info@dankmeyer.com.

 

What can you tell me about the new Medicare Card?

Question:

What is all this I've been hearing about a new Medicare card?  Is the one I already have still good? Mary Beth.

ANSWER:

Thank you for your excellent question, Mary Beth.  In an effort to prevent fraud and fight identity theft, with hopes of keeping taxpayer dollars safe, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are removing Social Security Numbers from all Medicare cards.  You will now have a new and unique Medicare number on your Medicare card. 

Starting in April 2018, Medicare will be mailing new Medicare cards to all people with Medicare on a geographical flow basis.  Maryland and states surrounding Maryland will be in the first wave of new cards that will be mailed starting in April 2018.  So, be on the lookout for your new Medicare card starting in April!  Once you receive it, please be sure to bring it to your next appointment so we can update our records with your new unique Medicare number!  

Your current Medicare card is still valid, however, once you receive your new card, you are encouraged to destroy your old card and start using your new card immediately.   If you are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage program, you will keep using your plan card as you do now.  For more information you can click here.  Happy Spring!

- Kristin Boswell, Director of Patient Services and Billing

Do you have a question you would like to Ask Us? Email us at info@dankmeyer.com.

 

What is an assistive device?

Question:

I noticed that both my physical therapist and your office asked if I use an assistive device. I am not sure I know what this means. What is an assistive device?   Bobby T.

ANSWER:

Thank you for your question Bobby.  An assistive device is a term that is used to describe a tool or appliance that helps someone overcome a physical disability. This can be anything from a single point cane, to a walker, rollator, wheelchair, power wheelchair or shower chair. It is important for your rehabilitation team to know this information because it provides a picture of how you get around your environment and areas that the treatment plan can focus on to help you meet your goals.

- Jed Newhardt, CPO

Do you have a question you would like to Ask Us? Email us at info@dankmeyer.com.

 

How do you prepare for winter adaptive sports?

QUESTION:

Hello, with winter and winter weather coming, I am concerned about staying active.  How do you select an activity or adaptive sport?  How do you prepare for winter adaptive sports? - Wayne G.

Eric Flynn tries on his adaptive skis.

ANSWER:

Good question, especially since it has already snowed here in Maryland and it is not even the first day of winter yet!  There are many types of sports in the winter – skiing, snowboarding, hockey, and others. You may be wondering – can I use my orthosis or prosthesis? The answer really depends on how you want to participate in the sport. Many sports can be done either with or without adaptations. For example, you can ski the traditional way with two skis while wearing your device, or if you aren’t comfortable with that, then give sit skiing a try, and you don’t have to wear the orthosis or prosthesis. Same goes with hockey – you can try sled hockey if you don’t want to wear your device, or you can participate with it!. There are many community resources available that can provide more details about your interests, so check them out. 

Eric Flynn using his skis last year.

In fact, here is an excellent link to a document from the latest issue of CHALLENGE Magazine.  It is published three times a year by Disabled Sports USA, Inc. The magazine includes a lot of good information about adaptive sports for all seasons.  Click here to read the article.

Here are a few Maryland organizations to contact for local adaptive sports as referenced from CHALLENGE Magazine. You can click on the link:

Baltimore Adapted Recreation and Sports  Parkton, MD 478-227-7386

Bennet Institute Physically Challenged Sports Program of Kennedy Krieger                    Baltimore, MD    443-923-7844

Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating  Annapolis, MD 410-266-5722

Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba (SUDS)  Bethesda, MD 202-341-9750

Team River Runner, Inc.  Rockville, MD 703-532-6070

You may also be wondering, if I do use my device for sports, is there anything I should be worried about or watch out for? Try to keep any metal parts from getting wet. If the device does get wet, don’t use a hair dryer or any other drying product with it. Let it air dry and call your orthotist/prosthetist for advice. Also, watch out for any skin irritation from extra sweating in your device, or wear socks if appropriate to maintain fit or for skin protection. If your sport is high contact or if you fall, it could cause damage to the device. If you think your orthosis or prosthesis may be damaged, or if you have any questions or concerns, please call your practitioner! We are always happy to help.

- Kristen Beltran, CO Board Eligible Prosthetist

Do you have a question you would like to Ask Us? Email us at info@dankmeyer.com.

 

3D-Too is getting something special for the holidays.

Is there a use for donated prostheses and orthoses?

This is a general question that we are asked periodically.  In fact, we have addressed it here in the past.  In light of the hurricane damage suffered by many Americans, and the damage from wildfires in the western United States, it has come up again.

YES.  Donated prostheses and orthoses are welcome.   

Sometimes patients find that they no longer need a particular device or supplies.  Occasionally a patient passes away and a family member wants to make sure that the device can go to good use to someone in need. Recently a patient asked us if we could pass on some supplies to someone in need.  These supplies were actually found by a friend at a thrift store who asked if they could be useful.

For orthoses, gently used is best.  For prostheses, if the device cannot be used as is or with minor repairs, then the parts can be used.  We receive the device and provide you with a receipt which itemizes your donation.  We do not assign a dollar value - that is up to you.  Since all organizations we work with are non-profit, then this donation is a tax deductible item.

Once you leave it with us, we evaluate the device for its best use, and sort items into a holding place until we can move them along. We often donate pediatric orthoses to an orphanage in China (you can read about that patient story New Day Foster Home in our archive by clicking here.)  Other devices make their way to organizations we work with in Mexico, St Vincent and the Grenadines, or Guatemala.  We have also sent practitioners on mission trips to work with patients and they take devices with them.  Sometimes we send devices to organizations who make specific requests of us.  Recently we sent supplies to one of our professional partners to help Puerto Rico.

We are always grateful that our patients and their family members recognize that others can make good use of items that they may no longer need and that we can facilitate that donation. If you have any other questions about donations, please do not hesitate to give us a call!

-Mark Hopkins, PT, CPO, MBA, CEO and President Dankmeyer, Inc.

Do you have a question you would like to Ask Us? Email us at info@dankmeyer.com.