What is the first step to take if a knee disarticulation patient is using excessive amounts of socks?

Assessing sock ply management is the essential first step when addressing a situation where a knee disarticulation patient is using excessive amounts of socks. Sock ply management involves evaluating how many and what type of socks the patient is using to ensure proper fit and alignment of the prosthetic limb.

When a patient uses too many socks, it can lead to complications such as increased pressure, skin irritation, or improper alignment of the prosthetic joint, which may affect overall function and comfort. By assessing sock ply management, a practitioner can determine whether the patient requires different thicknesses of socks, a reduction in the number of layers used, or if they need alternative methods for achieving the desired fit.

Taking this initial step allows for a more systematic approach to fitting the prosthesis correctly, ensuring that adjustments are made based on an informed understanding of the fit rather than making changes to the prosthetic components or altering the design without first confirming the root cause of the excessive sock use.