Making a Splash: A New Wave of Prostheses for the Water World
By Dalmass, Chris; Rayer, Mike; Active Living Magazine, Vol.15, No.1, pp. 33-34Publication Date: Spring/Summer 2007
Article examines prostheses that can be worn when swimming, and accessories that protect prostheses in the water. With the exception of limbs with microprocessor knees and ankles or myoelectric elbows and hands, which must never be worn in water, prostheses can be protected during swimming with waterproof bags such as the Xerosox Bag or the Dry Pro. Adaptive solutions include the use of a Ferrier Coupler which allows for prosthetic components to be interchanged with activity-specific parts, and a swim ankle from Rampro which allows for two locked positions for swimming and walking. The Aulie Knee is made from nylon material and can be locked in the water for an easier swim, then manually unlocked on land for walking. The use of a silicone, urethane or rubber suspension sleeve is recommended for preventing water infiltration between the socket and a residual limb. Water-proof pin-locking suspension systems mentioned are those made by Coyote Designs and Fillauer, and the TES Belt secondary suspension system. A prosthetic foot recommended for water use is the Beachcomber Foot (Kingsley Manufacturing) featuring a flat sole for walking without a shoe. Assistive devices for upper-extremity amputees reviewed includes the Freestyle Swim Fin by TRS (www.oandp.com/trs) which can be worn on the residual limb.
Assistive Products Discussed: FREESTYLE TERMINAL SWIMMING DEVICE (MODEL FSTSD 2)
Published by: DT Publishing (Website:http://www.activelivingmagazine.com)
