Prosthetic Liner

Summary

What is a Prosthetic Liner?

A prosthetic liner is essential for enhancing the comfort of your prosthesis, acting as a comfortable cushion between your residual limb and the socket. This soft inner layer absorbs impact, reduces friction, and prevents chafing, protecting your skin from irritation and damage. The perfect liner ensures a secure fit, improving adhesion and stability, so your prosthesis remains firmly in place throughout the day, even during vigorous activity.

Ottobock's innovative liners are engineered to provide superior comfort and performance. Our liners are made from high quality silicone, polyurethane, and copolymer materials and offer exceptional durability and support. Our commitment to the most advanced technology means you can experience increased comfort and confidence, allowing you to live an active and fulfilling life.

Choosing the Right Liner

Personalized to You and Your Lifestyle.

Choosing the right liner is about finding the right fit for you. A consultation with your Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO) is essential to determine the best solution. Your CPO will assess several key factors: your level of limb loss, residual limb shape and volume, your lifestyle and activity level, the socket/prosthesis you wear, and any skin sensitivities/pressure points. This will help determine the liner material (silicone, polyurethane, or copolymer) and which attachment system (suction, vacuum, or pin lock).

Material choice significantly affects comfort and durability; for instance, silicone provides excellent comfort and conformability, while polyurethane offers greater durability. Customization might be necessary to accommodate bony areas or pressure points, especially for those who lead active lifestyles. The ultimate goal from your liner is to enhance your socket comfort, improve your mobility, and increase your prosthetic performance, leading to a more active and fulfilling life.

Your Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO) will guide you in selecting the perfect liner to meet your unique requirements.

Prosthetic Liner - Choosing the Right Liner - Image (HQ)

Types of Liner

Finding the right fit for you.

Ottobock offers innovative prosthetic liners, utilizing the latest technologies and premium materials silicone, polyurethane, and copolymer for durable comfort and superior performance. As essential interfaces between your residual limb and prosthetic socket, liners promote skin health, optimize prosthetic function, and increase mobility for all lifestyles, from relaxed to the most adventurous.

A male, transtibial user is sitting on a wodden chair, donning his liner.

Skeo

Skeo liners are made from silicone and provide a high level of stability and good adhesion while remaining very durable. Silicone liners stabilize soft tissue and are easy to use due to the low friction of the textile cover and the silky smooth exterior, which is easy to clean.

Usage and Maintenance

Caring for Your Liner for Comfort & Durability.

Getting the most from your prosthetic liner starts with proper care. Follow these simple steps to prevent common issues such as trapped air, chafing and skin irritation for comfortable, long-lasting wear.

Following these easy steps will help keep your liner fresh, comfortable, and functioning at its best. Remember, proper hygiene helps prevent skin irritation and extends the lifespan of your liner.

Putting on Your Liner

Clean and thoroughly dry your residual limb.
Turn the liner inside out. Gently roll it onto your residual limb, from the bottom to the top.
Before attaching your prosthesis, check for wrinkles or air pockets. It should feel smooth and comfortable against your skin.

Cleaning Your Liner

Keeping your liner fresh and clean is as important as your daily hygiene routine. Just as you wouldn't wear the same clothes every day, daily cleaning will help prevent harmful bacteria and extend the life of your liner.

Turn the liner inside out.
Wash gently with warm water and a mild, pH neutral soap (Ottobock Derma Clean is recommended for our liners).
Rinse thoroughly and air dry completely away from direct heat or sunlight.
Consider having a second liner for alternating use.

Tips and Tricks

Tips for Comfort and Residual Limb Self-Care.

Chafing and pressure points can cause skin irritation; getting the perfect liner for your prosthesis, socket, and residual limb (shape and volume), is key to comfort.

Proper fit

To ensure a proper fit, consider the following:

Slippage: If your liner slips off, it might be too big.
Tightness: If it feels too tight, it may be too small.
Pain: Any pain/pressure points require immediate attention from your (CPO) prosthetist.

In addition to proper liner fitting, maintaining hygiene is essential to preventing odor and harmful bacteria that can lead to residual limb skin issues.

Residual Limb Self-Care

Wash your residual limb daily to promote skin health.
Use two prosthetic liners, wearing one while washing the other.
Clean with chemical free products like Ottobock Derma Clean or gentle pH balanced soap.
Moisturize your residual limb with a gentle, fragrance free lotion (avoid oil based products).

These tips can help ensure a healthier and more comfortable experience with your prosthetic liner and socket.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about liners.