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Monday morning I arrive at Scott Sabolich prosthetics. They will attempt to craft a prosthetic leg for me in the period of a week, although normally it takes about two. I will not be getting a cover, so that will reduce the time somewhat. I have chemotherapy treatment for cancer next week, so if we do not finish by Friday, I will have to return to Oklahoma City another week to finish up.
Step one is to get a ballpark socket from which the entire prosthesis is built. A perfect fit is critical. It does not matter what high tech componentry you have unless the socket is well-designed. The socket is the technology-to-human interface. Software designers are growing in their awareness that interface is everything. Prosthetists have known this for decades. It must "fit like a glove."
In my case, we must make a choice. I have gained weight since 2002, when my current socket was fitted. So we cannot simply duplicate it. There are two options in our choice. The first option is to make a cast of my residual limb, with firm plastic forms pressed against the plaster in certain places as it firms around me. This is messy and has much room for error. But it is based on reality - you are casting what the socket will actually fit. The second choice is to make a cast of the previous socket, take some tape measurements of my residual limb, and then allow the prosthetist to artfully add volume where he believes it is most appropriate. Regardless of the option we take, the goal is the same - to get the first test socket as close as possible to the final, so that the number of trial-and-error iterations will be as small as possible.
We decide upon the second choice. So Monday morning, they take my prosthesis and fill it with plaster. The form is then used to make the first test socket. This will take them the afternoon to work on and it must dry overnight. So after a short morning visit at Sabolich, I get to leave for the day.
In my case, I took an all afternoon nap. I am weak and not feeling well from my chemo and need to strengthen for the week to come.
Old Socket
