Amputees Support Group

Hey ValkF6,
I am not sure you can count this as good advice, but here goes. From what I know about the Harmony (or any other vacuum system) they are not set up to work with a pin lock BK set-up. They take the "passive" suction system and add more pressure to keep balanced pressure on your stump, thereby (supposedly) improving circulation and reducing size fluctuation. There are a number of folks on here with vacuum systems and they will, undoubtedly, remark on how well that works for them. Part of the issue of manual vs. electric pump is the size of your stump. If you have a shorter stump, you can probably choose, but folks with longer stumps have to choose the electric option. I know my insurance (Aetna) considers the pumps "experimental" and does not cover them either. Good Luck,
Kevin

Thanks, Kevin. I'm looking at switching from the pin lock to a vacuum system and unfortunately, my insurance won't cover any of it because it's not "medically necessary." I've got a short stump, so either manual or electric will work.

Here is something different for you.I am a bove the knee amputee with a long stump.What I use is a sticky silicon sock it has no rings or suction diophrams as i slide it into the socket the air is expelled.I do have to use a lubercaint to get it on I walk around in it for up to 18 hours a day.I also drive a dump truck.If suction is lost all i have to do is reapply pressure expelling the air again and I am good to go.Only catch to the deal is the lubercaint is $25.00 a pint.I am working on finding a cheaper way to do this part as a pint last about a month.I have had this system for about 2 months and like it.

I recently switched from the pin system and now I use the Limb Logic Vac system by Ohio Willow Wood. I spoke to an Otto Bock Prosthetist about the Harmony system and when he saw my Limb Logic Vac he was surprised how small and light it was compared to the Harmony System. He told me in confidence that he would stick with the one I had.
I can tell you that when you use the vac system you need both a liner and a sleeve which in the beginning causes more sweating. The longer you wear it, the sweating does decrease and is not much of an issue.
It does take longer to put on the vac system than the pin system but the benefits make the extra time well worth it.
The sleeves can be an issue as most of them are prone to the development of pin holes which make you lose suction. I have found the best sleeve available is one made by Otto Boc called the ProFlex Sleeve. Tiger I think will agree with me on that. Overall most people that were in a pin system and went to the vac, never go back. Whichever system you decide to go with, I wish you much luck.

I forgot to add that since I am in the Vac system I can walk much further distances than I could with the pin system. It's amazing how much of a difference there is when you don't have the weight of the prosthetic tugging at your stump the way it does with the pin system. You don't even realize how much this happens until you walk using the vac system.

Drew, the ability to walk longer distances would make this purchase a no-brainer for me. I've been a golfer for 50+ years and always believed that the game was meant to be played while walking. Having to ride in a cart hasn't been nearly as enjoyable. My wife does a bunch of Volksmarch walks and they'd be fun to do with her as well.

Drew is 1000% correct here!! -- It's a no brainer to switch to an active vac system and right now the Ohio Williow Wood, Limblogic VS is by FAR the best system on the market, the weight alone is slightly more than the locking portion of the pin set up but the fit is 1000 times better, you were saying that you unclick your prosthesis now when you sit down, you WON'T with a good vac system it fits tight to your leg all day with no fuss and you feel like you have your own leg back rather than some dead weight hanging off your stump. I was going to pay out of pocket for my Limblogic system (if insurance didn't pick up the tab, they did) but the cost for the pump was going to be 3600.00 US.(plus new socket) and I can say for a fact I would gladly pay that out of pocket to gain everything I did from switching to the vac system.

Thanks, Tigertatt. Between the folks here and the ones on Heather Mills' forum, I've been sold on the vacuum system.

I have an Otto bock Harmony manual pump.My insurance would not pay for the pump. My prosthesis ordered the pump,and sold it to me at cost. The insurance piad everything except the pump itself. I have a long stump. I had just enough room for the pump,plus about a 1/4" adjustment lenth.With the manual pump,and a good sleeve,it will hold vacuume while sitting for an hour or more. 2 steps and you are back to full vac.