Seated-popliteal weight bearing prosthesis for a bilateral amputee

Area of Science:

• Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Biomechanics
• Rehabilitation Engineering

Background:

• Bilateral lower limb amputees experience reduced seated stability due to the absence of ground reaction forces through their residual limbs.
• Traditional patellar-tendon-bearing prostheses can cause discomfort and pressure on the tibial area.

Observation:

• The lack of ground reaction forces through residual limbs significantly impacts seated balance in bilateral amputees.
• Existing prosthetic solutions may not adequately address the specific needs of non-ambulatory amputees requiring seated stability.

Findings:

• The seated-popliteal weight-bearing prosthesis effectively enhances stability for bilateral lower limb amputees when seated in a wheelchair.
• This prosthetic design circumvents the issue of tibial pressure commonly associated with patellar-tendon-bearing prostheses.

Implications:

• This innovation provides a viable solution for improving the quality of life and independence of non-ambulatory bilateral amputees.
• Further research could explore long-term outcomes and patient satisfaction with seated-popliteal weight-bearing prostheses.