Amputees Support Group

I started out with the pin lock systems I had it for the first two years. Then I visted another amputee that had the vacuume systems and he told me I should try it out. On my next vist to my leg guy I asked him about it and he told me that we could give it a try. Well I never will go back to the pin lock system again. The vacuume sytem is a much better and simple system to use.

The pros to a pin lock is that you can take off your leg with out taking off your pants, ok that all I can think of right now.

The cons is that when you sweat atlest for me it had the tendency to slide off my leg not to much just enoung to make it hard to walk with out taking it off and drying it out and putting it back on, plus finding that little hole to put the pin in was hard for me, also I had a hard time making sure it was all the way lock in I had to use a screwdriver to pull the last few lock in place.

I hope this what you where looking for.

Dennis

I am a BTK amputee and the pin lock system works well for me.The liner pin must be centered for it to work well, but you get the hang of it fairly quickly.

I'm in my 2nd week with the pin lock system, test socket, don't like it and don't think much of it. Maybe I'm just spoiled from having 2 vacuum systems in the past. They gave me a foam cup to put over the liner and I can not get the pin lined up to get it on. I decided to try just the socks and no problem except they only gave me a 1-3ply and 2-1ply socks. It's not enough thickness. I go back this friday and i do have a list of questions ready. My old socket was better than this and it wasn't working for me either.

The key to the pin lining up for me,has been to make sure when I roll on the liner that the pin is fairly well centered.Then I put my leg into the socket to see if I get a "Click". If so, I put on the quantity of sock plies that I had on the previous evening. If it goes on and locks with at least three clicks, I am good to go.If not,I adjust the socks until I get a comfortable fit. Since I am a fairly new amputee and this is my first socket, I am a novice;even though I am 74 years old.Pretty old to be a novice, Huh?

Thanks for the info. Earlier when I stated that I had 2 previous vaccum systems, that was in correct. I had 2 suctions.Went back last fri. and got my old socket back,it's better than the test socket. We decided that I should see a vascular dr. and check to see if I'm having a medical issue and if there are any options. I've had trouble since the begining. This would have been 3 sockets in 5.5 yrs. I just want to be able to walk longer than a few minutes and take off the leg. I hate going back to the vas. dr. I know that means leg cath's again. I'm pretty sure the 4 stents in my good leg are no longer working. So maybe the good Lord is telling me something. I'll find out.

No experience with anything other than the pin. Two different mfg. though. First one was not so good but a new prosthetics guy and definitive proths and I have NO problems.

I thank everyone for thier input. I won't rule out that it will never work for me. I'm very open to finding out if it is a medical issue. I'll do anything if I could walk better and longer.

I have a question for Left BK March 2007. I currently have a pin lock system and have to add socks to keep the distal from rubbing/hurting. How does a vac. system keep the stump suspended so it does not rub?

Patty1937 its use vacuum so there is no air in the socket which helps to maintain the stump volume. Thats help with wearing less socks or adding socks during the day. Its been a long time that I had to add socks.

I like it because it create a tight fit, so it doesn't feel like it rubbing or pistoning up and down after wearing it for a while, plus it feels more normal to me it feels like it part of my body when my leg is on. If you ever have the opportunityto try one please do, you will love it and never go back to the pin system.

Vaccum suspension consists of a prosthetic device that pumps air out of a socket, creating a vacuum. The vacuum secures a limb in place within the prosthetic socket.

I hope this is useful
Dennis

Reading the praises about the vacuum system, I'm wondering if it is universally more comfortable. I have a pin-lock bk prosthesis and while it is convenient and functional, it does cause significant pain if I try to walk for any length of time. Large stores, Lowes or Wal-Mart sized, are difficult to navigate without tolerating increasing pain. Is it widely believed or known that the vacuum system provides a more comfortable experience for increased activity? Pin-lock is the only type I have known so I'm curious. Helpful responses appreciated ;-)