Effect of Silicone Brim Socket of Transfemoral Prosthesis on Pressure Level in Proximal Weight Bearing Areas and Comparing with Conventional Socket

Aims: High pressures between the stamp and the socket after mutilation and receiving a prosthetic device is one of the main problems of the persons using such prosthesis. The aim of this study was to design and make a socket with a silicone brim in the trans-femoral prosthesis, as well as to investigate the pressure in the upper weight bearing areas compared to the current socket. Patient & Methods: In the one-sample case study, a 38-year-old male person with unilateral (right side) traumatic trans-femoral amputation was studied. Two sockets, one made by the current method and another made with a silicone brim, were presented to the person. Using FSR (force sensing resistance) and an Arduino Due microcontroller board, a pressure measurement device was used to measure the pressure level. Findings: In the sensor under the inferior pubic ramus (No. 8), there were 24.9% and 50.8% pressure increases in the silicone brim socket than the current socket in bipedal standing and standing on the prosthetic leg, respectively. In the sensor located in the upper part of scarpa’s triangle (No. 2), there was 29.1% pressure increasing on the silicone brim socket standing on the prosthetic leg. In addition, in the sensor on the ischial pad (No. 7), there was 2.4% pressure increasing on the silicone brim socket during walking at the loading response. The lowest pressure was in the femur great trochanter sensor (No. 4) in all cases and both sockets. On other points in all studied conditions, there were lower pressure levels in the silicone brim socket than the current socket. Conclusion: Using the silicone brim socket in the trans-femoral prosthesis leads to decreasing of the pressures on the stamp compared to the current sockets