Design of lower limb prosthetic sockets: a review

ABSTRACT

Introduction

The prosthetic socket is the connecting part between the stump and the prosthesis, which is the important basis for the function of the prosthesis. The current prosthetic socket is difficult in meeting the needs of amputees current, which is the main reason for amputees abandoning their prostheses. This paper reviews the design and use of prosthetic sockets for lower limb.

Areas Covered

The contribution of this publication is to review the skin problem, interface stress and volume fluctuations for prosthetic sockets, which are proposed as the key factors affecting the use of prosthetic sockets. Moreover, the lower limb prosthetic sockets are classified into the full-contact and the frame-type sockets according to the different contact type between stump and prosthetic socket, and their advantages and disadvantages are analyzed from different perspectives.

Expert Opinion

Aim to design the prosthetic socket with function transfer, suspension stability and comfort of socket, a design concept for prosthetic socket with self-adapt in real-time is proposed. It can be achieved by the smart materials with special mechanical properties.

KEYWORDS:

• Interface stress
• lower limb amputation
• prosthetic socket
• skin problem
• smart materials
• stump
• volume fluctuation

Article highlights

• This paper proposes the key issues affecting using prosthetic sockets, including skin problems, interface stress, and volume fluctuation.

• The prosthetic sockets are divided into the full-contact and the frame-type sockets based on the different types of contact between the socket and the stump, and they are subdivided according to the different target designs.

• The open challenges in this research field are highlighted and possible future routes are discussed.

• It is proposed that the function transfer, suspension stability and comfort of sockets are the design goals.

• This paper presents designing the socket that can self-adapt in real-time based on the special characteristics of smart materials.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

The work is funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [31900944].