Arise prosthetists design new socket to help above-knee amputees

Mar 3, 2010 — Tyler Morning Telegraph

Coshandra Dillard

Mar. 2, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Arthur "Butch" Jeske, 55, a registered prosthetic technician, traveled hundreds of miles from Minnesota to Tyler to test a component of his prosthesis that may help him and other below-knee amputees walk more comfortably.

As a double amputee, he has dealt with life without his own legs since he was 16. Last week, he visited Laurie Dowell, a prosthetist and owner of Arise Prosthetics, and resident prosthetist Gina May, who is researching a new socket design that will provide more comfort, better circulation, a greater range of motion and easier movement. A socket is a component placed on the stump of an amputee's limb, which supports the prosthesis.

The research, sponsored by Arise and backed by Ohio Willow Wood Co., a national prosthetics company, is part of the requirement for Ms. May's training through the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. The company developed a remote-controlled vacuum suspension system about two years ago. Ms. May's design drops the trim line of the socket a few inches, ensuring a greater range of motion and activity level, she said.

Jeske is one of three men involved with the project, which hopefully will set new standards for above-knee sockets, the women said.

During a three-day evaluation, Jeske underwent consultations and had his legs photographed using a ring-shaped device with five cameras and mirrors. The image of his legs were e-mailed to Ohio Willow Wood Co., where they carved an image of the socket, out of hard, dense Styrofoam, before a model is trimmed and sent to Tyler for Jeske to test. When the sockets were sent to Tyler, he tested the design by walking up and down stairs and ramps and then taking surveys.

Jeske left Tyler pleased with the design and is hopeful, along with the women, that it will make a huge impact on above-knee prosthetics.

Jeske also said that when walking using a typical socket, the top often protrudes with each stride. Trimming the height of the socket makes the component less visible through clothes.

"This is the biggest thing since the '80s," Ms. Dowell said. "This particular type of socket is relatively new. Nearly all have been used on below-knee amputees."

Jeske added, "I'm excited about it. Amputees have a tough time with suction sockets. They're really great, but when you lose suction, you lose a leg. You just don't put it back on. It's a process."

Because it is more taxing to adjust to prosthetics, the women are amazed by Jeske's energy level. Since he was a teenager, he's been active with his dogs and his prosthetics business.

"You had things to do and places to go, and it wasn't called a wheelchair," he said.

Ms. Dowell established Arise in 2000 after many years of trying to discover what her true calling was. She has been a flight attendant, worked with custom picture framing and pondered becoming a doctor.

"I had been trying to figure out what to do," she said. "I saw this documentary. There was a girl running through a field of flowers. They were talking about a knee prosthesis so the girl could run."

After spending hours with a Fort Worth prosthetist, she enrolled into a program.

"This is me. It's kind of medical, and it's kind of artistic, and it's constant problem-solving," she said.

Ms. May also found her niche and will continue her studies to become an orthotist/prosthetist, specializing in orthopedic braces and prosthetics. She said the field was a sure fit for her.

"I wanted to have a career in a field where I could help people," she said. "It's a great mix of helping people and using your hands."

Clark Poulson, owner of Land of Lakes Orthotics and Prosthetics, traveled with Jeske. He said since the Civil War, there have been big strides in the development of prosthetics. Today, advances are made everyday, especially for war veterans.

"The war, unfortunately, really helped prosthetics," Poulson said. "The VA is doing everything to develop new arms and legs. Some (soldiers) are able to go back to active duty."

Poulson also said that in farm areas in the North, accidents on farm machines and at manufacturing plants are at the main causes of amputation. He said, however, that about 80 percent of clients are diabetics.

A prosthetic can last three to five years, depending on how well it is maintained and physical changes, as a person's body may undergo changes.

Speaking proudly of her research, Ms. Dowell said Ms. May is embarking on groundbreaking work.

"This project Gina is doing can be added to literature to help other prosthetists," she said. "It could help further the knowledge in the field. It will be a revolution in the industry, I think. Many people will be able to use the vacuum."

Newstex ID: KRTB-0207-42528229