Using Farabloc Fabric in Prosthetic Limb Cover
Design
Printer Friendly Version
A unique
and innovative method of utilizing the properties of FARABLOC is to
incorporate the fabric into the design of the prosthetic socket. Incorporating
FARABLOC into the lamination process is not difficult, as Certified
Prosthetist Tony van der Waarde explains....
After
using Farabloc successfully in the "traditional" fashion for
many years, some amputees were asking if the cloth could be worn inside
the prosthesis during the day. The first one to try the "invisible"
phantom pain treatment in 1994, was a hip disarticulation amputee who
had rejected the Farabloc custom shorts or underwear, because it was
not comfortable enough while using his prosthesis. Only after a few
days he called and claimed that almost all of his phantom pain had disappeared
because of the comfortable fitting socket.
You will have to remember,
however that this amputee was never told about the incorporation of
Farabloc inside the prosthesis, because of his less than favorable experience previously. The most interesting aspect of all of this was
the fact that the "treatment-results" carried over to night
and evening when the prosthesis is off and phantom pain usually strikes
most severely.
When
the patient gained a large amount of weight and could no longer use
his prosthesis, his pains returned with the same intensity as before,
requiring medication and many other treatments.
So
why not spend a few extra dollars to give your clients some additional
comfort. And please don't tell them about it until after they've discovered
the results themselves. That way even the greatest skeptics cannot deny
where the pain relief comes from.
Laminating the Farabloc into the socket does not weaken the over-all
socket, nor does it add a significant amount of weight. Though the cloth
can be laid-up into any part of the layering of materials, it is recommended
that it be placed as close to the inner socket wall as possible, especially
when using carbon fibre cloth.
Though most resins penetrate Farabloc
well, the use of Carbon acryl is recommended. When laying the Farabloc
onto the mold you'll likely get some wrinkles and sometimes may have
to use more than one piece in an overlapping fashion. It is important
that all of the socket has the cloth covering it. You may use adhesive
spray or double sided tape to hold the cloth in place, ensuring that
you don't use an excessive amount!
When trimming and grinding the socket in the usual manner, you will
not encounter any unusual rough or sharp edges, like you might expect
from stainless steel fibers. When making modifications using a heat gun,
be sure not to heat the area to be modified too quickly, otherwise delamination
may occur.
On a final note: when fabricating a thermoplastic frame, place the Farabloc
on the outside of the cast and drape- or blisterform in the usual manner.
The cloth will actually aid in removing the air from under the plastic.
It is important to follow manufacturers guidelines for recommended temperatures,
otherwise the cloth will look burnt and feel rough!
Tony van der Waarde CP(C)
Printer Friendly Version
