Water and dust resistance
General information on what rain, moisture, dust and everyday wet environments mean for prosthetic knee systems.
Why does resistance matter?
Everyday life does not take place only in dry and clean environments. Rain, humid weather, dust, mud and occasional contact with water are natural conditions that a prosthetic knee system may encounter. Resistance to these conditions is an important characteristic that helps the system remain reliable in daily use.
The resistance of prosthetic systems to environmental conditions is defined by the protection information specified by the manufacturer. This information helps in understanding which types of contact a system is suitable for and to what extent, and which situations should be avoided. The resistance characteristics of each system differ, and the system suitable for the person is assessed by the specialist team.
Against which conditions?
The headings below introduce general environmental factors; the suitability of each system with respect to these factors differs and is determined by the product information.
Rain and moisture
Time spent outdoors in rainy or humid weather is among the common conditions a system may encounter.
Dust and particles
The level of protection against dust, sand and similar solid particles becomes important depending on the environment of use.
Contact with water
Splashing water or brief contact and continuous immersion in water are different conditions; they are assessed separately for each system.
Mud and ground
Cleaning after use on wet and dirty ground contributes to keeping the system in service for a long time.
Care after cleaning
Following exposure to water or dust, the care steps recommended by the manufacturer are important.
Limits of use
Which conditions each system is suitable for and which should be avoided are stated in the product information.
What do protection ratings tell you?
The level of protection of devices containing electronic components against solids and liquids is defined by an internationally recognized two-digit protection rating. The first digit indicates protection against dust and solid particles, and the second digit indicates protection against water. This information helps in understanding which conditions a system is suitable for.
- A higher protection value indicates more comprehensive resistance to the relevant condition.
- Protection against water can range from suitability for splashing to suitability for continuous immersion in water.
- The protection information of a system should be considered together with the manufacturer's instructions for safe use.
Examples from daily life
The examples below describe general situations; whether a system is suitable for a particular use depends on the product information and a specialist assessment.
Gardening
Resistance becomes important in situations involving contact with water and soil, such as watering and garden work.
Time outdoors
Time spent by the water and in wet environments raises the question of how well the system copes with environmental conditions.
Water sports
Activities involving intense contact with water are considered only if the system is suitable for this condition.
Frequently asked questions
Is every microprocessor-controlled knee suitable for going into water?
No. The resistance of each system to water and dust differs. Which conditions a system is suitable for is stated in the protection information specified by the manufacturer and is assessed by the specialist team.
What should be done after contact with water?
After contact with water, salt water, chlorinated water or mud, the cleaning and care steps recommended by the manufacturer should be followed. For details, please consult the team that carried out the fitting.
Does the protection information mean the system is suitable for all conditions?
The protection information applies only to the conditions specified. Avoiding environments for which the system is not suitable and following the instructions for use are important for safe use.
This content is for information purposes; please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment. Fittings are carried out at our licensed center locations in line with a specialist physician's prescription/medical report.
