Transfemoral Prosthetic Socket Design
Quadrilateral Socket
- Introduced in the 1950s
- Four-sided shape of the socket when viewed transversely
- Strong emphasis on individual anatomy of soft tissues and underlying bony structures
- Direct ischial bearing on a brim
Ischial Containment Socket
- Introduced in the 1980s
- Narrower in the M-L dimension to gain better control of femur and maintain its normal alignment
- Ischium contained within socket using bony lock
- Goals include increased comfort for user, and improved control of pelvis and trunk
- Amputation level
- Contour of the residual limb
- Expected function of the prosthesis
- Cognitive function of the patient
- Vocation of the patient (eg, desk job vs manual labor)
- A vocational interests of the patient (ie, hobbies)
- Cosmetic importance of the prosthesis
- Financial resources of the patient
- Measurement of the stump
- Measurement of the body to determine the size required for the artificial limb
- Creation of a model of the stump
- Formation of thermo-plastic sheet around the model of the stump – This is then used to test the fit of the prosthetic
- Formation of permanent socket
- Formation of plastic parts of the artificial limb
- Different methods are used, including vacuum forming and injection molding
- Creation of metal parts of the artificial limb using die casting
- Assembly of entire limb
- Be comfortable to wear
- Easy to put on and remove
- Lightweight
- Durable, and cosmetically pleasing
- Function well mechanically and require only reasonable maintenance
- Depends on the motivation of the individual, as none of the above characteristics matter if the patient will not wear the prosthesis
Lower Limb Prosthesis Classification
- Above knee prosthesis
- Below knee prosthesis
- Through knee prosthesis
- Through hip prosthesis
- Through ankle prosthesis
Upper Limb Prosthesis Classification
- Blow elbow prosthesis
- Above elbow prosthesis
- Through shoulder prosthesis