Rethinking the foam cosmesis for people with lower limb absence.

Background And Aim: A recent survey of people with lower limb absence revealed that patients' satisfaction with their foam cosmesis is lower than desired. The aim of this project was to improve the lifelike appearance, functionality and durability of the cosmesis through a user-centred design methodology.

Technique: Concept development and prototyping led to a new cosmesis design which features a cut-out located at the knee, inserted with an artificial patella made of a more rigid foam.

Satisfaction with cosmesis and priorities for cosmesis design reported by lower limb amputees in the United Kingdom: instrument development and results.

Background: Amputee satisfaction with cosmesis and the importance they place on cosmesis design have not been published in the literature.

Objectives: To investigate the current satisfaction levels of amputees in the United Kingdom with their cosmesis and the importance placed on attributes of cosmesis design to inform future cosmesis redesign.

Study Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire study.

Ability of modal analysis to detect osseointegration of implants in transfemoral amputees: a physical model study.

Owing to the successful use of non-invasive vibration analysis to monitor the progression of dental implant healing and stabilization, it is now being considered as a method to monitor femoral implants in transfemoral amputees. This study uses composite femur-implant physical models to investigate the ability of modal analysis to detect changes at the interface between the implant and bone simulating those that occur during osseointegration. Using electromagnetic shaker excitation, differences were detected in the resonant frequencies and mode shapes of the model when the implant fit in the bone was altered to simulate the two interface cases considered: firm and loose fixation.

Evaluation of modal analysis techniques using physical models to detect osseointegration of implants in transfemoral amputees.

Non-invasive vibration analysis has been used extensively to monitor the progression of dental implant healing and stabilization. It is now being considered as a method to monitor femoral implants in transfemoral amputees. This paper evaluates two modal analysis excitation methods and investigates their capabilities in detecting changes at the interface between the implant and the bone that occur during osseointegration.

Apparatus for monitoring load bearing rehabilitation exercises of a transfemoral amputee fitted with an osseointegrated fixation: a proof-of-concept study.

The purpose of this proof-of-concept study was to determine the relevance of direct measurements to monitor the load applied on the osseointegrated fixation of transfemoral amputees during static load bearing exercises. The objectives were (A) to introduce an apparatus using a three-dimensional load transducer, (B) to present a range of derived information relevant to clinicians, (C) to report on the outcomes of a pilot study and (D) to compare the measurements from the transducer with those from the current method using a weighing scale. One transfemoral amputee fitted with an osseointegrated implant was asked to apply 10 kg, 20 kg, 40 kg and 80 kg on the fixation, using self-monitoring with the weighing scale.