Thermography as an alternative tool to determine pressure distribution on the stump of transfemoral amputees

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Mendes E. (Author) Other; Silva A. (Author) FEUP; Correia R. (Author) Other; Crisóstomo C. (Author) Other; Vaz F. (Author) Other; Gabriel J. (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Thermology International

Vol. 22

Pages: 99-104

ISSN: 1560-604X

Publisher: European Association of Thermology

Indexing

Scopus - 2 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00W-01W

Abstract (EN): Lower limb amputation is a highly disabling condition affecting among others, mobility, activities of the daily and overall quality of life of the amputee. Prosthesis are custom made medical device intended to mimic the lost limb function, composed of several components, including a custom made socket, worn directly over the stump, usually made individually by hand to fit each individual stump. The socket is a crucial component, responsible for the load transfer between the prosthesis and the stump, control and stability of the prosthesis. The quality of the socket fit is crucial for the comfort, function, and energy consumption when walking with prosthesis. Despite this fact, the process of designing, producing and adapting a socket is usually a manual process, highly dependent on the experience of the prosthetist and on the individual and subjective perception of load reported by the amputee, dependent on a trial/error process to achieve a better fit, resulting in a costly process due to the number of visits to the workshop, as well as the number of prosthetics sockets that may have to be produced. The assessment of the stump/socket interface and pressure distribution is of paramount importance and the possibility of assessing the variables on a clinical setting on normal walking conditions, represents an important step forward on prosthetic production and rehabilitation. In this study the possibility of using thermography as a pressure distribution indicator is analyzed. The authors concluded that thermography may be a good indicator of force patterns within the socket walls and stump, allowing the possibility to determine among others the type of prosthetic socket, and therefore could be used as a tool on prosthetic production/rehabilitation. Further investigation is in course regarding the study of the stump/socket interface on lower limb amputees.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5