How to choose fit below knee prosthesis

Some prosthetic patients are not satisfied with the leg prostheses from prosthetic company, they would like to match their own satisfaction with the below knee prostheses. Then what should we pay attention to choose prostheses?

Referred to information from MEDI-REHATEK, we suggest that the disabled friends  should consider the following factors for choosing proper below knee prosthesis:

1, The length of the stump:

Amputee with long residual limb is easy to feel cold in winter, should not choose aluminum below knee prosthesis but optional leather below knee prosthesis or modern below knee prosthesis with suspension belt above knee (called Patellar Tendon Bearing below-knee prosthesis,referred to as PTB prosthesis); 

Amputee with medium or short stump can choose to prosthetic socket that contains the widest part of knee at the widest point type (known as the Kondylen Bettung Münster below knee prosthesis, referred to as KBM prosthesis); or choose the prosthetic socket that can contain the patella (called the prosthese-tibiale-emboitage-supracondylienne below prosthesis, referred to as PTES prosthesis).

2,The load capacity of residual limb and knee stability: 

When amputees with short stumps have unstable knee, and skin scar in large size, poor weight-bearing function,  they should use shank prostheses with metal knee joint hinge and tube-shaped parts on upper thigh.

3, Age: 

The elderly should choose lightweight prostheses; young people like sports who should choose dynamic feet or prosthetic feet with energy storage; The length of children's lower limb easily increases every year,so they should choose the prosthetic socket which allows to be replaced easily. 

(The special problems of children's prostheses:as the growth of healthy limbs, prosthetic sockets need replacing one time from six months to 1 year replacement time; prostheses need replacing one time from 1 year  to 2 years).

4, The surrounding environment, occupation, economic capacity, maintenance conditions: 

If the amputees live in rural areas, are engaged in agricultural labor.That is appropriate to use traditional prostheses such as practical, inexpensive and universal below knee prosthesis. These prostheses are cheap,also easy to repair by themselves. 

Relative blog: Specialized thigh prosthesis for bathing and swimming