Swanson
Regional Orthotic & Prosthetic Research Center has
developed the RapidFit Method to improve patient care
for lower limb amputees. The RapidFit Method is
a state of the art systematic approach for test
sockets and permanent sockets to achieve satisfactory
socket design, alignment, comfort and consistent
results.
Vern Swanson, C.P., Clinical Director of Swanson
Orthotic & Prosthetic Center teamed up with
Bionix
Development Corporation, Toledo, Ohio to form
Bionix
Prosthetic Solutions to develop and manufacture
the RapidFit line of products.
RAPIDFIT TEST SOCKETS
At Swanson, each Transtibial or Transfemoral patient
is fit with a RapidFit Test Socket. The patient
may be fit with several test sockets to maximize the
best socket design for comfortable weight bearing and
total contact.
When the test socket fittings are
complete the locking pin alignment and socket
alignment are duplicated with the RapidFit Align-Right
System.
The Align-Right Transfer System is installed in the
Transtibial or Transfemoral test socket before filling
it with molding plaster. Thus the exact lock pin
alignment and socket alignment are recorded with the
Align-Right System. Next the test socket is
removed from the plaster mold by a seam in the plastic
instead of cutting the test socket with a cast
cutter.
If a Transtibial or Transfemoral test socket is cut
off the mold with a cast cutter, it is ruined for
future socket fitting evaluation. Occasionally,
a test socket doesn't have to be cut to remove it from
the mold because of a conical shape. However, it
is still necessary to cut apart the test socket in
order to remove the socket adapter and lock
mechanism.
 In the past it was not feasible for Prosthetists to
keep the patient's test socket intact with the socket
adapter and lock mechanism components because
insurance companies would have to pay for these
components twice or even three times if additional
test sockets were needed. Consequently the test
sockets are cut apart to retrieve the adapters and
lock mechanism components. Test sockets are used
to initially fit the patient's residual limb, but are
not used to maintain a comfortable fit in the
socket. This is why Swanson saw the need to
develop the RapidFit Method for fitting prostheses.
The RapidFit Test Sockets are reusable to evaluate and
maintain a proper fit of the socket. The key to
the RapidFit Method is that the RapidFit Adapter and
lock mechanism are removable and replaceable without
cutting the test socket with a cast cutter.
When a patient is fit with a prosthesis, each RapidFit
Test Socket is labeled with patient name, date, test
socket number, RapidFit model and lock model.
The patient's RapidFit Test Socket(s) are kept and
maintained for future patient follow-up
appointments. For example, if a patient is
having a socket fitting problem five months after
delivery of the prosthesis. A follow-up
appointment is scheduled to evaluate the fit of the
prosthesis and the patient's RapidFit Test Socket is
prepared by reinstalling the RapidFit Adapter and lock
mechanism.
The patient comes in for the follow-up appointment and
the permanent socket is removed from the endoskeletal
system and replaced with the RapidFit Test
Socket. The current fit of the socket is
dynamically evaluated for the fitting problem. With
the RapidFit Test Socket Method it is much easier to
diagnosis the problem since the test socket is a
duplicate of the permanent socket and is made of clear
plastic.
The proper socket diagnosis is determined regarding
the fitting problem in the patient's current
socket. Then the patient's socket is adjusted to
correct for the changes that have occurred in the
residual limb since the socket was made. These
changes are most often due to size variations in the
patient's residual limb caused by atrophy of the
muscles and skin tissue. The patient's weight is
also an important factor because gaining weight may
decrease total contact on the bottom of the
socket. Losing weight may increase distal total
contact of the bottom of the residual limb.
The RapidFit approach is utilized to maintain the fit
and comfort of the prosthetic socket for the
patient. The RapidFit Test Socket will also be
used to determine when the socket needs to be replaced
due to physical changes in the residual limb and is
quite helpful to justify medical necessity to the
insurance companies. RapidFit Test Socket Method
by Swanson is a real solution for state of the art
socket design management.
RAPIDFIT LAMINATED SOCKETS
Swanson offers several advantages to patients for
their permanent sockets with the RapidFit Laminated
Socket Method. RapidFit Transtibial and
Transfemoral Patients will be able to receive the
prosthesis sooner due to the RapitFit Lamination
Method. It takes less time to receive the prosthesis
because the RapidFit Method
is based on a one-stage
lamination instead of a two-stage lamination. A RapidFit one-stage lamination is lighter than a
two-stage lamination.
The Rapidfit one-stage lamination is stronger than
other comparable one-stage lamination methods. A
laminated RapidFit Adapter is stronger than a
laminated pyramid adapter because of the machined
undercuts and carbon tape is used to reinforce the
acrylic lamination through the RapidFit anchor slots.
RapidFit Patients will have a more functional
prosthesis due to improved socket alignment
capability. In other words, there are increased
alignment adjustments due to the ability to use
eccentric adapters in conjunction with the RapidFit
Adapter.
Transfemoral RapidFit Patients will have a more
functional prosthesis due to improved knee center,
adequate flexion in their socket and improved
alignment stability. Insufficient flexion in the transfemoral socket can cause knee instability and a
knee jiggle between foot flat and midstance.
Correct flexion in the socket is critical along with
proper TKA alignment. This allows the patient to
take a normal sound side step without excessively
arching their lower back.
RapidFit Transfemoral Patients will have a more
comfortable prosthesis due to the thigh section not
being too long for sitting comfort in automobiles,
buses, trains and airplanes. Transfemoral
patients will have a more cosmetic prosthesis due to
the thigh section not protruding when the patient has
their knee flexed. The RapidFit accomplishes
this through the patented length offset.
The RapidFit Test Socket and Lamination Method by
Swanson are the solution for state of the art socket
design and socket fitting management.
(View
complete article found at www.OandP.com, John
Michael's Corner July 2002 Patients
interested in being fit with the RapidFit Method
should contact Swanson Orthotic & Prosthetic
Research Center by calling 1-419-472-8910.
Patients are invited to call Swanson Orthotic and
Prosthetic Research Center for a free
evaluation. When a patient calls we will do a
phone evaluation, insurance check and prescription
request and then an appointment will be set up for the
RapidFit Test Socket Fitting Procedure.
Swanson has a list of nearby hotels for patients
traveling from other states or countries, to stay at
while the prosthesis is being designed and
fabricated. We are conveniently located about 50
minutes from
Detroit
Metropolitan Airport and about 25 minutes from
Toledo
Express Airport. Shuttle service is
available.
It will take about 7 days for a Transtibial
prosthesis and about 10 days for a Transfemoral
prosthesis to be completed.
|
