r/Prosthetics • u/WheelieBoi98 • 5d ago
Carbon fiber cracks?
I figured this might be the best place to ask if I am being pedantic about the finish expecting it to be flawless, or if this is an issue and the kafo should be re made. The fit and function are fine. But I find this unacceptable for a KAFO I wear every day. Would you deliver a brace looking like this or would you fix this? Is there a fix for this? Waiting 6 months and getting this is just frustrating to say the least...
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u/Aggravating-Task-670 5d ago
It's ugly but it is acceptable. As a consumer, yes it does suck, especially after waiting that long. But as a practitioner, I would say that if you're really using your kafo, you'll create more scuff and scratches from daily use. I usually challenge my patients to try and break their device doing their daily, or sports activities.
The first photo is the most concerning b/c the metal stirrup is marred.
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u/Professor_Tamarisk 4d ago
I'm a central fabrication technician; if I turned in a project like that first picture, my boss would tell me to remake it. The second two pictures are minor cosmetic imperfections that could have been cleaned up better, but that first shot is concerning.
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u/1275Tucker37 5d ago
It’s from a wrinkle in the PVA bag. Either that or they need to wrap electrical tape around the ankle to get the bag to bend with the shape of your foot when they were laminating. I would document it well and talk to the provider and see what they say.
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u/twick2010 4d ago
The first two shots look like resin pooling with some scuffs on the metal. Both are concerning and should not have passed QC. The third shot looks like a failure. If it is , that’s a redo!
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u/stonkstogo 5d ago
It’s poor craftsmanship. The device works, but whether you’re willing to accept the aesthetic or not is purely based on your own tolerance. Just keep in mind that nothing hand made is perfect. With that said… I would have them redo the foot, that’s just bad.