Abstract

Prosthesis treatment requires the close interaction of different actors. In fitting prostheses to patients, special attention is given to the manufacturing of the socket. The continuous development of the technologies involved in the fitting and optimization of prostheses is shown in the literature. The assessment of orthopedic technicians and their influence in the process is thus far largely unexplored. Ten orthopedic technicians were interviewed about the socket fitting process after transfemoral amputation. The research goal was to clarify the socket treatment process with regards to the German context. The results showed that the orthopedic technicians focussing on the patient during the fitting process. This study underlines the importance of interaction and empathy. Volume fluctuations are decisive within the treatment process and are interactively influenced by various factors. Furthermore, the research emphasizes the need for appropriate assistive technologies and the potential for the further development of existing systems.

Highlights

  • For many patients, lower limb loss limits mobility and creates a reduction in their quality of life [1]

  • The results of the study were collected by an expert survey using semi-structured interviews

  • All orthopedic technicians report on volume fluctuations during the definitive phase (Figure 1, III)

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Summary

Introduction

Lower limb loss limits mobility and creates a reduction in their quality of life [1]. Statistics show an increase in lower limb amputations in Germany between 2005 and 2015 [2]. This increase is attributable to increasing case numbers of foot/toe amputations. In 2015, 9644 transfemoral amputations were carried out in Germany [5]. This corresponds to 17.3% of all lower limb amputations. It is the second most common amputation level

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