"A good socket fit can make you or break you": A multimethod study to explore the perceptions and experiences of socket fitting among people with lower-limb loss in Australia.
Lucy Armitage, Lauren Kark, Kirsty A McDonald and 2 others
PMID 39721064WHAT IT FOUND
Most Australian prosthesis users reported initial satisfaction with socket comfort, but almost all experienced fit problems over time.
Comfort fluctuated due to residual limb changes, material issues, and unmet expectations, requiring ongoing adjustments rather than a single successful fitting.
Key findings
01Almost all respondents reported that their socket stopped fitting well at some point, regardless of initial satisfaction.
02Comfort and discomfort fluctuated over time due to changes in residual limb geometry, such as shrinking or swelling during the day.
03Users developed self-managed adjustment strategies, such as adding padding or socks, to maintain fit between professional appointments.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study had a very small sample size (30 participants) with a 10% response rate, limiting the generalizability of the findings. Data was self-reported and retrospective, introducing potential recall bias regarding the fitting experience. The heterogeneous nature of the sample prevented statistical comparisons between groups or identification of specific predictors of dissatisfaction. The study did not control for suspension systems, which are known to affect comfort. Demographic data was incomplete for some respondents, limiting subgroup analysis.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was approved by the University of New South Wales Human Research Ethics Committee.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the high initial satisfaction rates as evidence that current fitting practices are sufficient for long-term use. Almost all users experienced fit problems over time, indicating that a successful initial fitting does not guarantee ongoing comfort or function.
Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →