Assistive Device For Applying Suction Socket
Edward T. Haslam, M.D. *
The simple, inexpensive, assistive device pictured here (
Fig. 1
) enabled the patient, for whom it was designed, to apply her own suction socket after efforts to teach her to do this by the conventional methods had been unsuccessful over a period of almost a year. This patient just could not learn to pull down with her hands and pump her stump at the same time but had no trouble pulling up and pumping. She has now used this device for approximately four weeks and it is my impression that when she develops a little more confidence she probably will then learn to do this without using this device.
Since this apparatus cannot be conveniently carried about it is recommended only for use in exceptional cases and then primarily as a training aid.
This device could be constructed in several different ways. Possibly the simplest method would be to use 1/2" inside diameter gas pipe with two elbows and two floor flanges. The floor flanges could be either fastened to the floor or as in the illustration mounted on 3/8" plywood. The crossbar should be polished so as to remove any irregularities in the metal upon which the stump socks would catch.
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