Analyses of prosthetic episodes in lower limb amputees

The provision and maintenance of prostheses in 100 trans-femoral amputees and 73 trans-tibial amputees were retrospectively analysed over a 10-year period. The aim of the study was to analyse the prosthetic episodes, i.e., the need for maintenance, repairs and replacements to a trans-femoral and a trans-tibial prosthesis and frequency of new sockets prescribed over the same period of use by established adult amputees. The study showed that the trans-femoral amputees needed 0.96 new prostheses, 3.27 new sockets, 2.31 major repairs, 3.36 component changes and 21.85 minor repairs. Younger trans-femoral amputees aged less than 60 years needed 1.1 new prostheses, 3.15 new sockets, 2.06 major repairs, 4.23 component changes and 20.49 minor repairs. Younger trans-femoral amputees needed significantly more changes of prosthetic components (p = 0.04). The associated study on 73 trans-tibial amputees showed that they needed 1.4 new prosthesis, 2.9 new sockets, 3.2 major repairs and 14.1 minor repairs over the same 10-year period. The introduction and prescription of modular prosthesis as opposed to conventional limbs used earlier has possibly allowed components to be easily replaced thus reducing the need to replace a whole new prosthesis.