Prospective Intervention Study Using Immediate-Fit, Adjustable Prostheses for Persons With Lower Limb Loss in...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Prosthetics

Background:

• Limb loss presents significant mobility challenges globally.
• Access to advanced prosthetic devices is often limited in low-resource settings.
• Conventional prosthetic fabrication is time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of an immediate-fit, adjustable prosthesis (iFIT Prosthesis) for individuals with limb loss in Botswana.
• To gather user feedback on the comfort, utility, and acceptance of the iFIT Prosthesis.

Main Methods:

• Eighteen participants with limb loss in Botswana were fitted with the iFIT Prosthesis across four locations.
• A longitudinal follow-up (4-9 months) included interviews and the Prosthetic Comfort and Utility questionnaire.
• The study was conducted as part of a partnership between the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Botswana.

Main Results:

• Of 13 participants providing feedback, 7 continued using the adjustable socket.
• The socket's ability to accommodate volume changes was highly rated.
• Participants recommended the system (92%) but noted issues with bulkiness and lack of cosmetic cover.
• Conventional prostheses took over a year to fabricate.

Conclusions:

• The immediate-fit, adjustable socket system demonstrates feasibility for lower limb amputees in Botswana.
• Future iterations should focus on reducing bulk and incorporating a cosmetic cover to improve user acceptance.
• Addressing these design elements is crucial for enhancing the adoption of advanced prosthetic solutions in resource-limited environments.