A research team conducted a survey to explore global experiences and perspectives on fitting a variety of lower-limb adjustable-volume sockets at different amputation levels and found that there was moderate success globally in fitting the sockets.
The online survey was distributed to prosthetists and asked about experiences with adjustable sockets, including successes, challenges, and barriers faced when fitting, and the impact of amputation level on success. The researchers statistically compared the responses between US and non-US respondents.
Of 195 valid responses, 66.7 percent were from the United States. Eighty-five percent of respondents had fitted an adjustable socket, with those in the US more likely to fit them than those outside of the US.
The reported success rates were 40-75.1 percent depending on the socket style. There were no significant differences between US and non-US respondents or between amputation levels in the success rates.
Open-ended feedback from the respondents highlighted the importance of patient selection, the timing of use, and differing views on the implications of prefabricated designs for clinical practice and access to care.
The study, “International prosthetists’ perspectives on adjustable-volume lower limb prosthetic sockets,” was published in Prosthetics and Orthotics International.
