Adjustable Pediatric Prosthetic Sockets to Accommodate Growth in Children and Adolescents With Limb Loss.
Timothy R Dillingham, Jessica Kenia, Laura Prosser and 3 others
PMID 42769681WHAT IT FOUND
Children using an adjustable prosthesis reported better temperature regulation and adjustability than with their conventional devices.
Gait speed and socket pressure were unchanged. Half preferred the adjustable socket, but running was often limited by the attached foot components.
Key findings
01The adjustable device scored significantly higher for adjustability and temperature regulation compared to conventional prostheses.
02There were no significant differences in walking speed or intrasocket pressure between the adjustable and conventional devices.
03No skin breakdown occurred during the trial with the adjustable socket, whereas 31% of participants reported issues with their conventional sockets in the three months prior.
STILL TO COME
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What it does not show
High dropout rate: only 15 of 28 enrolled participants completed the follow-up. The foot and knee components used in the adjustable prosthesis were not identical to those in the conventional prostheses due to budget constraints, which confounds the comparison of function. The study was not blinded, and the principal investigator who designed the prosthesis performed the fittings. The duration was short (two months), so long-term durability and the ability to fully accommodate growth were not assessed. Amputation levels were combined in the analysis, so results cannot be applied specifically to transtibial, transfemoral, or Syme amputations individually.
Declared interests
The principal investigator founded the company (iFIT Prosthetics, LLC) that manufactures the adjustable socket and has a financial interest in the device. Another author also holds equity in the company.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude the adjustable socket itself improved running or high-impact function. The study used specific lower-impact feet for the adjustable device that were not identical to the participants' conventional components, and most participants reported running was limited or impossible with the study device.