Post on 14-Dec-2015
GlideWear® Prosthetic Liner Patch
Presentation of a New Intervention for the Management of Skin Breakdown for Amputees
Presenter Intro + Disclosures
Charles W. Kuffel MSM, CPO, FAAOP is the President & Clinical Director at Arise Orthotics & Prosthetics.
Kevin Hines CPO is an owner & certified prosthetist-orthotist at Arise Orthotics & Prosthetics.
Presenter Intro + Disclosures
Charles & Kevin both serve as clinical consultants for Tamarack Habilitation Technologies.
Jason Pawelsky is the Sales & Marketing Manager at Tamarack Habilitation Technologies with 8 years of O&P product development-related sales & marketing experience.
Webinar Agenda
• Discuss the skin care challenge faced by Prosthetists and Amputees
• Introduce friction management concept and its role in wound care
• Introduce GlideWear Prosthetic Liner Patch• Present case studies• Q&A• Contact Information
The Prosthetist’s Dilemma
• Approx. 1.9 million amputees in the U.S.• Over 65k LL amputations annually due to
diabetes alone• Annual prosthetic liner utilization estimated
at over 200k units • Skin integrity disruption is a constant struggle
for the Prosthetist and rising amputee population – it is not isolated by diagnosis, geography, liner, or device type
Interface Design Concerns
A recent survey of Prosthetists about the design of prostheses conducted on the OandP-L (n = 95) revealed:
• Nearly 50% concluded that the most important area for prosthetic device design improvement is on interface materials
• The distal tibia and fibular head ranked as most common areas of socket discomfort for transtibial amputees.
Got Pressure?
Pressure reduction in at-risk areas is an essential component of skin tissue health and is the leading focus amongst clinicians.
However, pressure isn’t the only consideration…
Once a prosthetic socket is fabricated, both friction and moisture must also be appropriately managed.
The Impact of Friction & Shear on Human Soft Tissue
Intrinsic FactorsGeneral health, nutrition, age, neuro-muscular and neuro-sensory status, metabolic status, etc.
Global FactorsPatient education, motivation, lifestyle, program follow-up, etc.
Extrinsic factors Pressure Friction & Shear Microclimate
Extrinsic Factors - Summing It Up:
By addressing the extrinsic factors, 4 results will have to be met:
1. Improvement of microclimate2. Redistribution of pressure loads3. Management of static and dynamic friction4. Minimization of shear forces in at-risk areas
P FF Fs1. 2. 3. 4.
Repetitive Loading
• During ambulation, load is applied to the skin, reaches a maximum and, in the unloading phase, incurs tensile stress caused by the weight of the prosthesis. This series of loading cycles occurs again, and again, and again…
• Virtually all repetitive loading has a “rub” (friction) component.
• When insufficiently addressed, skin breakdown occurs.
Repetitive Loading
Every ambulatory person has experience with this…– It is an occasional irritant for “Mr. Blue”– It causes significant discomfort and occasional
breakdown for “Ms. Green”– “Mr. Red” is unable to wear his leg until his wound
heals – keeping him from living the active lifestyle he enjoys with his family & friends
Let’s examine what this looks like clinically…
Tissue Trauma Examples
Conventional “Wisdom”Red skin = “Pressure Area”
So, must reduce peak pressure… End of story.
Reducing pressure decreases the clinical control that was originally desired
Lost opportunity to enhance and extend function
Labor intensive (costly)
BUT REMEMBER!
How do we currently address friction and shear?
Skin lubricants – lotions & gelsMessy to apply Likely to spread beyond targeted areaHydrates skin when absorbed, increasing the
coefficient of friction between skin and liner – making skin more susceptible to trauma
Short term solution – needs frequent reapplication.Contraindicated for some liners
How do we currently address friction and shear?
Moisture Management Liners Only addresses 1/3 of the equationNot widely used amongst amputees
Skin-Drying PowdersMessy to apply Limited duration of protection
The Friction Factor
By introducing a low friction material at the interface of the device and skin, friction is virtually eliminated in targeted, at-risk areas.
It’s important to mention that friction is important when it comes to supporting proper device fit & function– just not when it causes shearing and skin trauma.
What is GlideWear?
Patented dual-ply low friction fabric technology
Manufactured in Minneapolis, Minnesota by Tamarack Habilitation Technologies
First commercialized in 2009 for use in wheelchair cushion covers and in 2013 for prosthetic liners
GlideWear is a comfortable, versatile, long-lasting and highly effective shear management technology.
GlideWear® Prosthetic Liner Patch
Indications for UseIndicated for nearly every amputee who experiences discomfort and skin breakdown from their prosthetic liner or socket.
Critical Sites of Skin Breakdown include… Patella Popliteal Distal anterior tibia Fibular head
Also recommended as a tool to prevent premature liner breakdown!
GlideWear® Prosthetic Liner Patch
FeaturesEasy to UseAvailable in two sizes. Place appropriately-sized GlideWear Patch against the targeted area before rolling the liner over the top.*
Provides Targeted Shear ReductionShearing occurs between the dual ply GlideWear fabric; not against the skin in at-risk areas.
Extremely DurableReuse daily and launder frequently for months of worry-free skin protection
Tested through 100 wash/dry cycles and 180,000 rub cycles to ensure durability through long term use.
*Do not apply directly over open wounds.
GlideWear® Prosthetic Liner Patch
BenefitsFor Amputees
Immediate improvement in comfort
Better wound-healing environment
Eliminates need for messy and ineffectual cream & powder use
Protect liners from early wear-out
Enjoy months of daily use with a single patch -> cost-effective!
For Practitioners
Less extensive socket recontouring = better fit and function
Reduction of “early returns” due to nagging skin problems
Reduced practitioner time on non-billable facility expense
No reimbursement battles!
GlideWear® Prosthetic Liner Patch
User Instructions1) Position the GlideWear Prosthetic Liner Patch over the affected area.
2) Roll the liner over the GlideWear Patch to complete placement process.
3) Use clean, dry patch daily to ensure lasting protection. Launder as needed.
GlideWear® Prosthetic Liner Patch
Purchasing Options
Choose from 2 size options:
Small (2.5 in. x 4.75 in.) Suitable size for most users! USD $27 MSRP
Large (4.5 in. x 7.5 in.) For larger limbs & coverage needs USD $34 MSRP
Sold 2 patches (same size) per pack
GlideWear Tips GlideWear is not intended for placement directly against open
wounds.
Always follow standard wound cleaning & coverage procedures (as recommended by a licensed healthcare professional) to support a healthy wound-healing environment.
To avoid recurrence of skin breakdown after healing, amputees should continue using the GlideWear Prosthetic Liner Patch daily to protect against future issues in at-risk areas.
Conclusions
• Skin breakdown in the amputee population can be addressed in numerous ways.
• Pressure, shear, and microclimate must all be managed to optimize device fit, comfort, and skin protection.
• GlideWear offers a simple, low-cost, and long-lasting solution for shear-related discomfort and breakdown for amputees.
Q&A + Contact Info
Jason PawelskySales & Marketing ManagerJasonP@tamarackhti.com(866) 795-0057 toll-free
(763) 795-0057 localwww.glidewear.com/PLP
© 2014 Tamarack Habilitation Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved
GlideWear Prosthetic Liner Patch Questions/Comments?
Please contact:Becker OrthopedicCustomer Service
mail@beckerorthopedic.net(800) 521-2192 toll-free
(800) 923-2537 faxBeckerOrthopedic.com
To Order GlideWear Prosthetic Liner Patches, or receive
Product Support please contact:
• To obtain CEU Credits, please refer back to the listing for this presentation on the Becker website and click the Test Questions link.
• After completing the Test Questions Form, please print the document for your records. You can then scan the document and upload it to us by selecting the Clinical/Technical Support button on the Becker website, or fax it to us at (800) 923-2537.
CEU CREDITS