Quantitative analysis of interface pressures in transfemoral prosthetic sockets.
Linda Paternò, Luigi Truppa, Michele Ibrahimi and 4 others
PMID 37379468WHAT IT FOUND
In 10 people with transfemoral amputation, socket pressures varied by task and design, with mean minimum 41.8 kPa and mean maximum 113.8 kPa.
The study did not prove one design is safer or show that these pressures cause discomfort.
Key findings
01The study measured 10 people with transfemoral amputation, but sensor failures left 9 analysed for ascent walking and 8 for descent walking, upstairs and downstairs.
02Interface pressure ranged from a mean minimum of 41.8 kPa to a mean maximum of 113.8 kPa across tasks and sensor sites.
03Socket designs showed qualitative differences: IC had higher lateral and medial pressures, SUB-IC had higher posterior and medial pressures during walking, and QUAD had more disturbed data and lower pressures.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Only 10 participants were recruited, all male and all with traumatic amputation at one INAIL centre, so results may not apply to women or non-traumatic amputation. The socket designs were unevenly represented, with 2 IC, 2 SUB-IC and 6 QUAD sockets, so the authors did not compare designs statistically. Sensor failures reduced analysed participants to 9 for ascent walking and 8 for descent walking, upstairs and downstairs. Sensors were placed between the liner and skin, which may itself change the usual socket interface. Pressure was averaged over four large socket areas, not mapped at high spatial resolution. The study measured pressure only; it did not report patient outcomes such as pain, skin problems or prosthesis use.
Declared interests
Funding came from INAIL, described as a non-commercial entity. An INAIL-affiliated author participated in scientific review and approval of the study scope and objectives, and in final manuscript review. An INAIL facility served as a site for amputee enrolment.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these pressures as a clinical threshold or as proof that one socket design is safer. The study measured only 10 men with transfemoral amputation, had sensor failures during stair tasks, and did not compare designs with statistical tests.