Stabilizing transpelvic prosthetic socket for a patient with spinal cord injury sustaining right partial...

A bucket-type transpelvic socket was fabricated for a man with paraplegia from spinal cord injury, who underwent right partial pelvic amputation and left hip disarticulation. His main problem was inability to sit due to asymmetrical pelvic shape. We prescribed a transpelvic prosthetic socket to enable him to sit again. The socket consisted of a dual structure: a hard frame and soft liner. The main features of the socket were redistribution of pressure to prevent recurrence of pressure ulcer, and a slightly backward tilt to maintain a comfortable sitting position. In addition, the socket had small air holes for ventilation; a big window in the abdominal area for management of stoma and cystostomy; and two straps for donning it independently. In addition, we confirmed the internal pressure distribution in the socket by a pressure mapping system to prevent reoccurrence of skin trouble. Finally, the patient regained independence in activities of daily living, including driving a car, after two months of rehabilitative training.