Quality of polypropylene sockets for trans-tibial prostheses in low-income countries

Based on six series of patients (n = 198) participating in clinical field testing of prosthetic feet and all provided with trans-tibial prostheses in accordance with the polypropylene component and assembly system developed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) follow-up studies by teams consisting of an orthopaedic surgeon and a Category-I prosthetist-orthotist were conducted. A series of quality measures were tested against previously published quality benchmarks. The polypropylene system gives a consistent product and allows for increased demands on quality benchmarks. The acceptance of discomfort and pain could be reduced to 5 +/- 5%. The technical performance demands were reduced for misalignment to 10 +/- 5%. In general for all quality measures the range could be reduced to +/- 5%. These new demands reflect what an orthopaedic workshop outside of a teaching system should be able to attain.