Design of lower limb prosthetic sockets: a review

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.

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.

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.