Comparison of A Priori Alignment Techniques for Transtibial Prostheses in the Developing World -- Pilot Study
By Reisinger, Kim D.; Casanova, Hector; Wu, Yeongchi; Moorer, Celene; Disability and Rehabilitation, Vol. 29, No. 11, pp. 863-872Publication Date: June 2007
Comparison study to test a simplified alignment procedure, developed in partnership between the Center for International Rehabilitation (CIR) in Chicago and Prosthetic Research Study (PRS) in Seattle, capturing transtibial alignment metrics during a patient’s initial visit, following an evaluation and casting session, before a prosthesis is fabricated. Five transtibial amputees and five prosthetists were recruited for the study. Each prosthetist used each of three alignment systems based on the anatomically-based-alignment (ABA) and vertical alignment axis (VAA) theories, the ABA-standing, ABA-supine and VAA systems, to capture alignment measurements for one subject. Three monolimbs were fabricated for each amputee participant and assessed during clinical static and dynamic gait conditions. Training materials and methods were also evaluated. All three systems were found to capture acceptable alignments, with each system having its own advantages in terms of ease of use, required equipment and ease of technology transfer, which has positive implications for providing prosthetic devices to remote areas of landmine-affected countries.
Published by: Taylor & Francis, Limited (Website:http://taylorandfrancis.org)
International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (Web Site: http://www.isprm.org )
