To improve socket fit and increase ways for people with transtibial amputations to manage residual limb fluid volume changes, researchers investigated the effects of partial-doff frequency on volume. They concluded that more frequent partial doffing appeared to better mitigate limb fluid volume loss when compared to less frequent partial doffing.
Participants completed two controlled laboratory sessions that differed in the number of times participants sat and partially doffed their prostheses. The 11 participants were fitted with a custom limb fluid volume monitoring device and a socket release-relock mechanism and were asked to complete a series of low- and high-activity ambulation bouts that mimicked daily prosthesis use.
According to the study, mean limb fluid volume measures from the anterior compartment of the residual limb were significantly different between the one- and three-partial doff experimental protocols. The posterior compartment limb fluid volume, locking pin depth, locking pin magnitude of movement, anterior distal limb position depth, and anterior distal limb position total movement did not differ significantly between the two conditions.
The open-access study, “Frequent versus infrequent partial doffing in transtibial prosthesis users as a means to stabilize residual limb fluid volume,” was published in Clinical Biomechanics.
