My First Week!

Hello again!

On my first day of the internship, I was welcomed by the employees of McCleve Orthotics and Prosthetics and was immediately whisked off to the first patient consult this week. My first real experience with prosthetics came in the form of an above the knee amputation. I quickly learned the complexity that goes into each prosthetic device as they are custom made on site in the fabrication room (also known as the fab). This leg in particular had made use of the LimbLogic device, which allows for elevated vacuum of the stump, providing a more secure and comfortable prosthetic. The prosthetic itself is made up several parts: the foot, the pylon, the knee, and the socket. Such devices must be frequently adjusted as the size of the stump constantly shifts with the amount of swelling in the leg. To combat this, wearers are provided with variable socks to fill in the extra room while still maintaining the suction.

When working with prosthetics and orthotics, each patient is different and the specific needs of the patient must be met. As a company that creates both, the clientele is extremely varied. From sports injuries to amputations, the clinicians find ways to improve patient’s mobility.

I was astounded upon entrance of the fab to find the immense time and effort that goes into every device created. A simple shoe insert to provide more support can take over an hour of work! In prosthetics, the devices take a huge amount of time to create as they are a multi-step process. First the initial mold must be created from plaster much like that used on a cast. Then from here they fill this casting with a hard plaster to make a replica of the stump. The replica is then covered with a heated plastic (taken straight from the ovens) to provide a molding of the socket. This isn’t even the actual socket! The final socket is fabricated from carbon fiber filaments coated in resin upon the hard plastic covering!

One difference that makes McCleve special is the way that they cater to their patient’s needs. Often times, prosthetic patients find it difficult to reach the office, whether it be because transportation from home or admittance into hospital. Today was my first time leaving the office and visiting a patient in the hospital. It was an interesting change, suiting up in gown and gloves (to prevent infection), and meeting with a patient so soon after surgery.

My first week on site has been an amazing experience! In the next upcoming week, I will further my research and provide a more detailed discussion of the prosthetic devices themselves.

See you next week!

Sebastien 

Image Retrieved from McCleveop.com