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Recommendations for tracking the residual forearm in people with trans-radial limb difference using marker-based
N Pickard1, D Howard1, V H Nagaraja1
1Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation, School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford M6 6PU, UK.
Medical Engineering & Physics
|December 6, 2025
Summary
New marker placement strategies improve tracking for trans-radial (TR) prosthesis users, addressing poor socket fit. These novel frames enhance the measurement of socket-residuum coupling for better prosthetic outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Prosthetics
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Upper-limb prosthesis users frequently experience poor socket fit, negatively impacting functional outcomes.
- Existing methods for measuring socket-residuum coupling are limited by low degrees of freedom (DoF) models and are not suitable for trans-radial (TR) limb differences.
- Current International Society of Biomechanics (ISB) forearm tracking recommendations are incompatible with TR limb difference due to reliance on wrist markers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate novel marker placement strategies for accurate 6-DoF tracking of the ulna bone in individuals with trans-radial limb differences.
- To identify alternative marker frames that overcome the limitations of current ISB recommendations for TR prosthesis users.
Main Methods:
- Ten intact limb participants performed six distinct movements repeatedly.
- Evaluated the displacement of ulna marker clouds using 18 alternative tracking frames, excluding wrist markers.
- Compared the performance of optimal alternative frames against the standard ISB frame using a point cloud displacement metric.
Main Results:
- Identified two optimal marker frames for tracking the ulna bone: one for long TR residua/full forearms (humeral epicondyles and mid-distal ulna) and another for shorter TR residua (humeral epicondyles and distal ulna).
- These novel frames demonstrated favorable comparison to the ISB frame in the point cloud displacement metric.
- The proposed frames provide viable solutions for tracking the ulna bone in TR limb difference populations.
Conclusions:
- Novel marker placement strategies offer a viable solution for tracking the ulna bone in trans-radial prosthesis users.
- These findings can improve the assessment of socket-residuum coupling, potentially leading to enhanced prosthetic socket fit and user outcomes.
- The study provides practical, non-bespoke measurement solutions for a significant challenge in upper-limb prosthetics.
