Which prosthetic sleeve features are important to you?
What Features are important
Suspension Options
Vacuum: Those BK sleeves intended for use with pumps and vacuum systems such as Ottobock and Ossur Vacuum Systems. These sleeves are made using Gel vs Silicone.
Suction: creates hyperbolic suction atmospheric suspension. Suction BK Sleeves are typical made with neoprene, gel and silicone
Durability features:
Inner lining: designed to reduce wear and tear from socket trimelines.
Thicker around knee for socket trimelines: manufacturers add extra thickness
Outer fabric lining: protects the knee and allows easy movement of clothing over the prosthetic sleeve. Protects sleeve from abrasion.
Sleeve Saver or Gaitor: Some manufactures include a gaitor or sleeve protector that prevents premature wear from socket trimelines.
Comfort features:
Contoured back of knee: prevents wrinkles and reduces stress on knee cap
Extra space for patella: reduces skin irritation along patella
Preflexed: 1°pre-flexion allows for easier bending of the knee and significantly reduced amount of wrinkles in the knee fold.
Anatomically shaped: Offers 1° pre-flexion allows for easier bending of the knee and significantly reduced amount of wrinkles in the knee fold. And anatomical shaped sleeves offer a patella area for reduced pressure along the patella during knee flexion and extension.
Conical Shaped: Slight conical shape offers increased comfort for the user as well as tighter seal along the socket . Great option for those with slightly large thigh circumference vs socket circumference.
Related Prosthetic Sleeve Articles:
- The Complete Prosthetic Suspension Guide
- What is the difference between Vacuum and Suction suspension systems?
- Prosthetic sleeves that offer the longest life.
- Helpful tips for your prosthetic sleeve
- How-to install a Below-Knee Sleeve onto my prosthesis?
- How-to protect and care for suspension sleeves.
- Prosthetic Sleeve Materials Primer