Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: September | Volume: 10 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 310-318
Effectiveness of Suspension System in Transfemoral Prosthesis
Minakshi Behera1, Ashok G. Indalkar2
1Assistant Professor (P&O), National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (Divyangjan), ECR, Muttukadu, Kovalam Post, Chennai-603112, Tamil Nadu
2Lecturer & HOD, Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Haji Ali, Keshavrao Khadye Marg, Mahalakshmi, Mumbai, Maharashtra - 400034
Corresponding Author: Minakshi Behera
ABSTRACT
Background: Suspension was considered to be one of the most critical aspects of the prosthetic design and it’s a method by which the artificial limb attached to a body. Suspension not only prevents the prosthesis from falling off, but it also avoids pistoning, minimizes shear forces on the skin of stump and enhances axial and rotational stability.
Objective: There were no such studies available for Indian population; therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of suspension systems mostly used in Indian conditions (Hip joint and pelvic band, Total Elastic Suspension (TES) and T-Belt).
Methods: Ten unilateral Transfemoral amputees participated in this study, and the patients were asked to use three different suspension systems. All the suspension systems were tested in terms of active range of motion at the hip joint, rotational stability/axial rotation, axial pistoning (Radiographic findings of vertical displacement) and the patient’s comfort.
Results: The results revealed that there was significantly more Range of motion on T-belt whereas less on Hip joint and pelvic band, rotational stability was more stable in TES, higher level of prosthetic satisfaction was on TES and pistoning was very less during the use of hip joint and pelvic band.
Conclusions: It can be concluded that even though TES was more stable suspension system for Transfemoral amputees, but overall satisfaction was higher with the hip joint and pelvic band suspension system as it helps to control the axial rotation and pistoning of the stump inside the socket.
Key words: Transfemoral prosthesis, suspension system, hip joint and pelvic band, TES, T-belt, PEQ.