How do prosthetic liners work?
Solutions
Frequently asked questions about liners.
What do I need a liner for?
Think of a liner as a kind of stocking that you pull over your residual limb. It forms the connection between your residual limb and your prosthesis. A liner offers you a comfortable and secure hold for the prosthesis while helping to relieve and protect your residual limb.
How do you don a liner without a pin?
Check whether your residual limb and the inside of the liner are dry before donning the liner. Then, turn the liner inside out as far as possible and hold it so that the bulge at the lower end (cap) is facing you. Place this bulge at the end of your residual limb and roll the liner up evenly and carefully. You can then don the residual limb sock.
Avoid displacing soft tissue and forming wrinkles or air pockets. Do not pull on the edge of the liner or damage the surface with sharp fingernails or other sharp objects.
How do you don a liner with a pin?
How do you take a liner off?
The liner is simply rolled down. Please ensure that the edge of the liner does not roll up into a bulge that compresses the tissue.
How do I wash my liner?
The liner should be cleaned after every use, at least once daily. Turn the liner inside out and wash it under lukewarm water with the special Derma Clean neutral cleaning lotion. Then rinse it thoroughly and dry the inside with a lint-free towel. Afterwards, turn the liner right side out again and clean the outside as well under running water or with a damp cloth.
Please note: Do not put the liner in the washing machine or dryer. Use only your hands and no other utensils to wash the liner. Do not use any soaps with scented or dye additives or any antibacterial cleaning agents containing alcohol.
How do I dry my liner?
How can I take care of the skin on my residual limb?
I'm experiencing increased perspiration with my new liner. What might be causing this?
There are red stripes on my skin at the height of the liner edge. What is the reason for this and what can I do about it?
My liner contains the Skinguard antibacterial additive. Does this mean that I don’t need to clean the liner as often?
I’ve seen steam sterilisers for cleaning liners. Can I use one for my Ottobock liner as well?
Steam sterilisers are suitable only for cleaning silicone liners, and therefore Ottobock’s Skeo products can be cleaned by them. However, to provide a customised fitting that meets your specific needs, we use other materials for some of our products, such as the Caleo and Uneo liners. These liners are not suitable for cleaning in steam sterilisers.
What is the QuickValve and how does it work?
The QuickValve is used in combination with a sealing sleeve or a liner with a lip (sealing liner) to generate a vacuum in the prosthetic socket. This reduces friction and shear forces during the swing phase. During the stance phase, your body weight pushes excess air in the prosthetic socket out of the socket through the valve. The expulsion valve can be opened manually by turning to allow you to take off the socket or to sit more comfortably.