A Manual for Above-Knee Amputees

Donning the Sucton Socket

A number of methods of donning the suction socket have been devised through the years. Each amputee needs to experiment to determine the method that seems easiest for him.

The three most popular methods seem to be:

Use of a nylon stocking or a single layer of tubular stockinet over the stump and removing it through the valve hole as the stump is "pumped" into the socket.
Use of tubular stockinet that has been doubled over the stump and removing the stockinet by pulling the end of the outer layer through the valve hole as the stump is "pumped" into the socket.
Use of an elastic bandage that has been wrapped tightly around the upper half of the stump and then pulled through the valve hole as the stump is "pumped" into the socket.

Various devices have been made available from time to time with the purpose of making the donning of the prosthesis easier, but none seem to have been used widely.

Air bubbles between the socket and stump result in discomfort. The valve is opened as the stump is forced into the socket to expel any air bubbles that may develop and to reestablish suction when it is lost after sitting or for any reason.

Go to next section
Go to previous section
Go to Table of Contents

The electronic version of this manual is presented by Dankmeyer, Inc., with the permission of the authors. This manual may not be redistributed in any form.