Question

You work in a prosthetics clinic. A 25-year old male who had a trans-tibial limb amputation as a result of a motorcycle accident complains that he is tired in the late afternoon after wearing his prosthesis all day. What might be your first engineering suggestion to solve his problem?

Answer 1

For the trans-tibial limb amputation , below knee prosthesis are used.This connects to the residual limb and aids in client gait and activities.The parts of the trans-tibial limb prosthesis are socket,suspension,shin piece and foot piece.The socket is the part which attaches to the residual limb.Patients have dissatisfaction because of the problems in the socket and the suspension system.Some parameters should be taken into concern to evaluate the functioning of the prosthesis.They are force distribution,friction,pressure and tension.These should be assess between the residual limb and socket.So after assessment the engineering suggestion will be to make change in the socket distribution.Suspension is like the sleeve which fits to the residual limb helps in proper fitness.Discomforts arise because of materials and volume of suspension.Hence after complete assessment can make changes in the suspension material and volume.Engineering changes can be made in the socket and the suspension system.