Video Summary - Donning and Doffing a Prosthetic Limb

Key wellness/self-care + fit/donning strategies (prosthetic management)

Put on the roll-on liner and engage the pin by sliding in until you hear a click.
Count clicks to confirm depth:
- 12 clicks = bottomed out (may need more sock).
- ~6 clicks = too much sock (not going in far enough).
- ~9–12 clicks (often 10–11) is a common target range to start.
Use the audible click feedback to verify you’re “locked in.”

Use a lanyard to draw the residual limb down into the socket (helps avoid “ice cream cone” pin-pushing).
After pulling tension:
- Pull from the strap tension point and route through the D-ring, then re-strap with Velcro.
- Avoid pulling on the D-ring as the primary anchor (risk of hardware damage/loosening).
Ensure the patient stands/leans safely to settle the fit, then re-tension as needed.

Lubricate for seal:
- Apply hand sanitizer around the gasket/liner and a little inside the socket.
- Slide the parts together while wet, pressing down fully.
Timing/air evacuation:
- Give it ~30–45 seconds for the product to dry and the seal to lock in.
- The system uses a one-way valve so air comes out but can’t return.
No air pocket rule:
- Never allow an air pocket at the bottom (can cause skin pressure effects/irritation).
If needed:
- Remove/inspect the valve to verify depth/position.

Use a liner plus sleeve that seals to the socket for vacuum/suspension.
Sleeve height/contact:
- Aim for sleeve contact at least ~4 fingers above the top of the socks (more contact = better vacuum and reduced risk of slipping).
More contact = better stability:
- Maintain skin contact higher on the limb to prevent loss of suspension.

Hygiene is daily-critical:
- Clean liners every day to prevent contact dermatitis.
- Don’t wet the outside (nylon outer surface can smell and remain odorous).
Cleaning method:
- Use mild soap (no deodorants/perfumes).
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Turn the liner inside out for cleaning; dry properly.
- Avoid contamination: don’t lay it down where it can pick up lint/hair/newspaper fibers (can later irritate skin or interfere with fit).
Donning technique:
- Roll liner on flat hands, avoiding fingertip pulling/grabbing.
- Eliminate wrinkles and air pockets from bottom to top.
- Orient the liner correctly:
  - Thicker side on top, thinner on the backside (helps avoid pinching behind the knee).
Sock care:
- Socks are Lycra-based and can “collapse” from 3-ply to 1-ply if yanked hard.
- Keep them in full ply shape by removing wrinkles without stretching/yanking.

Alignment matters:
- The pin must be an extension of the bone (bottom of the limb). If too low/misaligned, it may not engage properly.
Before socks:
- Do an initial “dry fit” check (you should be able to hear clicks).
When adding socks:
- Ensure the pin is completely free from the bottom of the sock.
- If the sock blocks the pin, it may lock you in—making removal difficult.
If you can’t reach the prosthetist (contingency mentioned):
- Using warm water inside the liner may help slide it off (described as requiring time/patience), but the preferred approach is avoiding the “pinned through sock” mistake.

For engagement:
- Encourage the patient to relax the knee rather than stiffen it.
- Stiffening can cause a “pressure/torture” effect that resists engagement.
- A relaxed knee + steady press helps achieve the locking click(s).

Pin removal is controlled:
- Press the release button (location may be under a cosmetic cover) and lift to disengage the pin.

Use repeatable steps:
- Audible feedback (clicks) + counting
- Eliminating wrinkles/air pockets
- Checking sleeve/liner position before standing
Perform pre-checks (before socks; or valve inspection in seal systems) to prevent harder-to-fix fit problems.