Choosing the Optimal Patch Size with GlideWear or ShearBan

Whether you’re trying ShearBan (self-adhesive PTFE sheets & patches) or GlideWear Prosthetic Liner Patches (2-ply silk-like shear reducing fabric) for the first time or are looking to optimize your patch size and placement for maximum performance and cost savings, SIZE does matter. This post serves to provide guidance and considerations in choosing the correct patch size for your individual need.

New from Tamarack Habilitation Technologies, the GlideWear Prosthetic Liner Patch is indicated for lower limb amputees who experience discomfort or skin breakdown on their residual limb due to interface pressure and shear between the socket, liner, and skin.

The GlideWear Prosthetic Liner Patch is currently available in two sizes:

Small (standard) – measuring 2.5 inch x 4.75 inch (6 cm x 12 cm)

Large – measuring 4.5 inch x 7.5 inch (11 cm x 19 cm)

In choosing the correct size for you or your client’s needs, consider starting with the small size, which is optimal in MOST applications. Whether you’re using the GlideWear Prosthetic Liner Patch to relieve or prevent discomfort and skin breakdown on the patalla, popliteal, distal anterior tibia, or fibular head, we only recommend using a patch that’s slightly larger than the area of concern.

If the small patch provides insufficient coverage due to limb size/volume or wound size, only then do we recommend selecting the larger patch size. Wrinkling is also reduced or eliminated when patch size is optimized and not exceeding the size of the limb.

Keep in mind that prosthetic liners are used for suspension, so the least amount of spot reduction of “hot spots” or pressure areas is the goal. 

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ShearBan, another friction & shear interface technology from Tamarack, is also intended to provide friction & shear reduction in areas of concern and not throughout the entire device. Because ShearBan’s ultra-slick PTFE surface is slippery as ice, the material should be used to spot relieve friction & shear wherever hot spots, blisters, ulceration, or callusing appears.

ShearBan is available in 8 inch x 12 inch sheets for custom trimming as well as 1.75 in x 2.75 inch oval patches for easy placement on footwear, insoles, and medical devices.

For more information about GlideWear and ShearBan, visit www.tamarackhti.com.

GlideWear and ShearBan are manufactured in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A. by Tamarack Habilitation Technologies, Inc. Contact us with questions or feedback!

Wiggle Your Toes Foundation

We recently learned of an incredible local organization, the Wiggle Your Toes Foundation, which is dedicated to helping amputees and their families regain independence and mobility after limb-loss. Founder, Aaron Holm of Minnesota, is a bi-lateral, above-the-knee amputee, who has a passion for helping others navigate through the steps necessary to recover quickly in order to pursue the personal and employment activities they previously enjoyed.

Wiggle Your Toes 3^rd Annual Charity Golf and Dinner Event

On Monday, August 22^nd, 2011, Wiggle Your Toes will hold their 3^rd annual golf and dinner event at the Minnesota Valley Country Club in Bloomington, MN. If you’re interested in attending, sponsoring or making a donation to the Wiggle Your Toes Foundation, here is the golf registration flyer.

For more information about the Wiggle Your Toes Foundation, visit www.wiggleyourtoes.org.

Canine Articulating Prosthetic Limb Success Story

Earlier this week we received a heart-warming story about a German shepherd named Gretchen who received a new articulating prosthesis from OrthoPets of Denver, Colorado. Thanks to the staff at OrthoPets, and a set of new Tamarack Flexure Joint Caps™, Gretchen’s prosthesis provided her the opportunity to resume her active lifestyle.

Here’s a video clip of Gretchen with her new prosthesis:

Unlike standard prosthetic legs for pets, the custom articulating prosthesis designed for Gretchen allows her to walk, run and play with a more natural gait. The prosthesis in the video above will soon be replaced with a stage 2 OrthoPets custom prosthesis, which will be her final device.

Stay tuned for a detailed case study about Gretchen’s custom prosthesis!

For more information about custom orthotic and prosthetic bracing for animals, visit www.orthopets.com