A large-scale clinical study led by researchers from the Hanger Institute for Clinical Research and Education demonstrated that adjustable-volume prosthetic sockets were associated with clinically meaningful improvements in socket comfort and overall quality of life (QOL) for lower-limb prosthesis users.
The study was conducted in multiple prosthetic clinics across the United States, and the research analyzed outcomes for more than 400 adults transitioning from fixed-geometry to adjustable-volume sockets between 2023 and 2025. Improvements were observed among users of transfemoral and transtibial prostheses and across short- and longer-term follow-up assessments.
“For decades, prosthesis users have been limited to managing volume changes with added or removed socks because fixed-geometry sockets have limited ability to accommodate daily or long-term residual limb volume fluctuations, often leading to poor socket fit, user discomfort, and in some cases, discontinued prosthesis use,” said Shane Wurdeman, PhD, FAAOP(D), Hanger’s chief clinical officer. “This research provides real-world evidence from a large patient population that adjustable-volume sockets benefit patients across all amputation levels, representing a meaningful clinical advance.”
The results revealed significant improvements across all measured outcomes. Socket comfort scores increased from 5.59 to 7.16 on a ten-point scale, and QOL, general satisfaction, satisfaction with walking ability, and prosthetic mobility all improved significantly. Notably, the researchers found that improvements in socket comfort were positively correlated with longer daily prosthesis wear times and greater overall satisfaction.
The study, “Longitudinal improvements in comfort, mobility, and quality of life with adjustable-volume prosthetic sockets,” was published in PM&R.
