Construction methods and materials for external prostheses--present and future

In the first part of this paper the methods of constructing lower limb prostheses and their major components are discussed. Attention is paid to the foot, shank, knee joint, swing control, thigh, and hip joint. The second part is devoted to the use of thermoplastics in prosthesis and orthotics. Thermoplastics are polymers of varying chain length which can be moulded when heated. The properties of the various materials are discussed and their potential use described.