I'm interested in this too. I get my first casting on Monday, and because of my extremely active and heavy duty job and personal life my prosthetist was talking about the vacuum system. Can't wait either way, but want to get some feedback

I'm a BK amputee for 6 years now. I had the pin system for 6 years. It works well. A year ago I had to have a revision amputation and then changed to vacuum. The vacuum system works much better not as painful you don't have the pulling on the bottom of your stump which by the end of the day can be very painful. The only problem with the vacuum system is if you wearing long pants and you want to take your leg off you have to remove your pants as you have a sleeve all the up your leg .. with the pin system you just release the pin and pull your leg off. I don't think I would ever go back to the pin system. With my first leg my stump also change a lot. in the first 3 months I had to go for 3 castings as my stump kept shrinking. I was told that was normal. when my stump shrinks I just add more socks. 2 years ago I flew to the USA from South Africa 18 hours on the way there I left my leg and it was so painful on the way back I removed my leg and 5 hours before landing I needed to use the bath room. I could not get my leg on as it had swollen so much I could not get the pin to loch in place. half hour before landing I managed to get my leg on, if I had the vacuum system It would have been fine as you don't have to get your stump all the way to the bottom to engage the pin. hope this makes sense . Chris.

Hi there,
I've been wearing prosthesis on and off for around 9 years now.
Up until around 2 years ago i was using the pin lock system until I found that my leg would often turn due to the scope it had to do so with that system.
I made the decision then to give the vacuum system a try, and found that the turning problem was gone. I also felt as though I had more control and 'feeling' over my prosthetics which helped my walking!
Unfortunately though, I have experienced the same problems as you in that as the day goes on, and my stumps are used more and more they become tired and sweaty. This fatigue leads to the shrinking on the stumps and it got so bad that one of my legs would fall off while walking around!

It was so annoying and I'm currently exploring other avenues including a parachute system which doesn't involve a sleeve at all. It's skin-on-socket.

hello .AK..sense 1993...pin system ..

hello .BKA..sense 1993...pin system ..

sorry first time on here..lol....i am a BKA..sense 1993....pin system...like it a lot..

I am on my second pin lock system and like it a lot. I toyed with the idea of a vacuum system when I was fitted with the second socket, but in the end decided on another pin. I like the easy removal aspect, but usually put it on in the morning and except for getting dressed, shower etc, it pretty much stays on all day.

mine too Pat...only take it off to sleep or shower...

I have given this a bit more thought and have arrived at the following conclusion.Let me be blunt; the person/persons, that fit you with a vacuum system on a "new stump",either did not know what they were doing, or were selling product. With as much variation in size as a new residual limb has, a pin is, in my humble opinion a much better option. A "mature" limb can then be fit with a pin or vacuum system according to personal preference. I am not an expert and am still learning and in many cases, so are our practitioners.

I agree with Patt. I had my BKA 2 months ago and they would not consider giving me a vacuum suspension socket until my leg is stable in size and shape. I am wanting to try the vacuum suspension when I get to choose my permanent leg. I am also very impatient for that day to come. I have been told that it can take 6 months to a year for my leg to become stable and be ready for a permanent socket. I hope you have things in your life to help the time pass. I am sure it will go faster than we think!!

Money -- that is your answer, if you have the money and/or insurance to pay for as many sockets as you want then the Vac system is just fine for a new amputee, but the reality is that most insurances will not pay for an endless supply of sockets. A new amputee just changes in size and shape too much to make a vac system worth while in the beginning. I HATE the pin system but will say that it's an evil you just have to deal in the beginning. There is a 3rd system you all have not been told about or have over looked here, Expulsive air suspension, this is the system many AK's use but is now available to BK's via the Iceross X-5 liners. http://www.ossur.com/pages/13687 it's a better fit than the pin I find but without that damn sleeve needed to make vac systems work. I use this liner in a hybrid system I designed with the one way air valve and a limblogic VS vac unit. by FAR the best system I have used, all the fit and comfort of the vac system AND all the ease of the push button release and adjustment of the pin system without a bulky sleeve bunching up behind your knee all day that comes with the vac system.

Bottom line the pin system is best just because your size and shape changes A LOT in the first year and you will go though 1-7 sockets in this time. IF you can afford the cost of new sockets all the time then by all means go with a vac set up but if you are like most and your insurance will only cover so much then go with the pin system for the first year then swap over to something else once your limb stabilizes.

Tiger - thanks for your reply. I'm thinking I may be confused about what a vacuum system is. What you linked to is what I use. I don't have to use a sleeve that goes over the socket and liner (though I did try that at first). Now I just use the liner with the internal suction mechanism. I thought of that as a vacuum system.

Notably, I'm a few weeks from having written my original post and am really happy with the system [whatever it is!]. I've gotten a second test socket and will be getting a carbon fiber socket soon.

I have had both. When I was first fitted with a prothesis they fitted me with a vaccum method type. It was very unstable for me and a pain in the -----. Then another practioner fitted me with the lock system, and I am doing very well. In the beginning it could have been the fit, or whatever, but after what I had to suffer with the vaccum method, I am sold on this pin lock system.

Hi panhines, I have been using the pin locking system for about 15 years now, (previous Vacuum) One of the main benefits I have found with the pin system is increased comfort, as the main socket can have thin further inner lining which is slightly flexible , so that instead of , in my case (above knee) a hard rigid edge cutting into the top inner thigh, when I put my weight through the leg there is a slight give so it is far less painful and I no longer suffer from cuts and open wounds. The other point with the pin system is although you still need to maintain your weight at a constant level (tough know)if your stump decreases in size you can wear an extra sock or two to prevent moving up and down in the socket which causes the rubbing and chafing, the limb centre I attend gave me what is called a stump maintainer , basically you wear it at night or when you are not wearing your leg and the tightly woven fabric keeps the stump in the desired shape and prevents fluid retention in the stump which can sometimes be the cause of swelling leading to being unable or difficult to get the leg on, of course watching the diet I found out, comes with the territory! I would say in summary , that as a female above knee amputee, the pin system is preferable to suction. I hope this info has been of some use. All the best, if I can help with any other info always pleased to post, Autumn.

I agree 100% My prosthetic people were/are awesome. I was in there almost every week with fittings, advice, new stockings, etc. They never tried to sell me more than I needed and never had a problem adjusting my "ankle" as needed.