Effective use of Bailey Retractable Monofilament
Designed and manufactured in the UK, the Bailey Retractable Monofilament was launched in the UK during 1996. At the time, many monofilaments were available but, the accuracy of the Bailey Monofilament was assured in an article published in The Diabetic Foot Journal (Booth & Young, 2000) being one of only two accurate and commercially available monofilaments.
The 10g Retractable Monofilament exerts 10g of pressure when the filament bends. The monofilament should be applied perpendicular to the skin and should not be allowed to slide or slip. We suggest the following process:
- · Slide the 10g button forward until there is a ‘click’. The device is now ready to use.
- · Apply monofilament to patients’ arm or wrist first. This demonstrates to the patient that the test is not painful and informs what the test feels like.
- · Ask the patient to say ‘Yes’ when they feel the filament applied.
- · The patient should not be able to see where, or whether, the clinician applies the monofilament.
- · Apply the monofilament perpendicular to the skin until the monofilament bends.
- · The monofilament is applied for around 2 seconds.
- · There are many opinions on monofilament test sites. Using the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot, 1st toe, 1st & 5th MTP joint.
If the patient cannot feel 1 or more sites then they are said to have a Loss of Protective Sensation. Peripheral neuropathy cannot be diagnosed from a monofilament test.
Maintenance & Care
- The monofilament can be cleaned between each patient using a clinic wipe or injection swab.
- Do not autoclave the monofilament
- Do not use on broken skin
- Do not use on callus. If the test site is callused, then use the monofilament on the nearest non-callused area.