12 Oct 2006 - We developed a noncontact means of measuring position of the residual-limb surface relative to the distal prosthetic socket during walking in a transtibial amputee so the amount of slip, or pistoning, between a limb and socket with different suspension systems for different activities could be evaluated.
Results showed an average of 41.7 mm of displacement during swing phase relative to stance phase.
A rest period caused the limb to displace in the socket approximately 4.8 mm during subsequent walking trials, possibly reflecting limb enlargement and thus a more proximal position in the socket after the rest period.
This sensor could be used to identify systems that decrease limb-socket movement since excessive pistoning might detrimentally affect socket fit.
A PDF file of the study is aviable for download
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