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