A New Temporary Training Prosthesis for People With Transtibial Amputation: a Technical Note

While waiting to receive a prosthesis, individuals with amputations could benefit from using a temporary training prosthesis to expedite the rehabilitation process and prepare them for subsequent walking with their prosthesis.

To design and build a temporary training prosthesis for people with a transtibial amputation.

Various temporary training prostheses were designed and simulated using SolidWorks software, followed by fabricating and testing multiple prototypes. Initial tests were conducted on five able bodied subjects without amputation to evaluate comfort, ensure the prototype functioned as intended, and to refine the design. The final prototype design had no weight-bearing on the residual limb end and required the person to wear a shrinker or silicone liner.

SolidWorks simulations showed that the device could tolerate up to 200 kg load. Subjective feedback indicated that body weight is primarily supported by the thigh section, while partially utilizing the patellar tendon and tibial flares. The thigh section can be shifted 5 cm up or down and 2.5 cm to the front or back from the knee joint center (to enhance knee stability or function). Additionally, the thigh angle can be adjusted to 0, 5, 10, or 15 degrees to accommodate hip flexion contracture. The shank section width is adjustable and can be shifted up or down based on the residual limb shape. All five able-bodied participants successfully walked with the non-amputee version of the temporary prosthesis prototype and the device withstood walking, sitting, and standing loads.

An adjustable temporary training prosthesis was successfully designed, and pilot tested by five able-bodied individuals. Future testing will involve five experienced prosthetic users before conducting trials with individuals with a new transtibial amputation.