Construction of the lower limb prosthesis

Modular lower limb prostheses are among the most used orthopedic appliances in the world. These are prostheses used in patients after amputations in the area of the lower limb. The lower limb prosthesis consists of several main components: Prosthetic socket - this element is made individually for each patient in an orthopedic facility. It follows the exact shape of the stump. It is one of the most important elements of the prosthesis because it is the connection between the prosthesis and the body of the amputee and is the comfort of the prosthesis used. We distinguish different types of sockets due to the type of amputation, the material of the socket and the way it adheres to the stump. The tendency of the residual limb to change its volume is one of the biggest problems in prosthesis. Hip joint - The mechanisms of the hip joint are an important, although usually not very functional element of prostheses with a hip basket. Due to the very low demand for this type of structure, few solutions have been developed in this regard. All of the hip joints currently available on the market perform their function by means of springs or other bumpers made of elastic materials. There are no solutions with pneumatic, hydraulic or electronic control. Most of these mechanisms are uniaxial. An important element of each hip joint is also the element that attaches the prosthesis to the hip basket. The most commonly used prosthetic hip joints focus largely on the stable position of the limb during the stop and the active ejection of the prosthesis during the transfer phase. They are usually very simple, low-failure, small and light structures. The disadvantages of these structures are the low maintenance of the gait and the small number of solutions in this regard. Knee joint - The knee joints in modular prosthesis are a very important element. The knee joint should guarantee the patient the stability of the prosthesis both during standing and in the phase of support while walking. It is mainly responsible for the patient's safety. It also controls the movement of the lower leg during the transfer phase and the return to the starting position. The patient's gait dynamics depends to a large extent on the type of knee joint. The variety of joints is very large, so the most important thing is to choose the right knee joint for the patient's activity, expectations and needs. The prosthetic knee should take into account several basic aspects, and ensuring mental confidence and the appropriate dynamics of the joint work, the gait is close to natural. Prosthetic knees can be divided according to the number of axes (single or multi-axis) and the mechanism they use. We distinguish mechanisms: polycentric, pneumatic, hydraulic and electronically controlled. Adapters - These are the elements connecting the individual modules of the structure. They can be made of various types of materials. We can divide them according to whether they are passive or functional. Passive elements are, for example, tube adapters, connecting adapters, lamination adapters - they only connect individual prosthesis modules, they do not fulfill any function. Functional adapters, on the other hand, create new possibilities for the prosthesis, such as rotating and sliding adapters and shock absorbers. Prosthetic foot - A very important element of a modular prosthesis is the prosthetic foot. How it behaves in contact with the ground will influence the behavior of the entire prosthesis. From a mechanical point of view, the feet can be divided into two simple categories. These are feet with a movable ankle joint and stiff feet without a joint. We can also divide them according to the material they are made of. There are many such solutions, which is a great advantage of the modular prosthesis system, thanks to which each mechanism can be individually adapted to the user's needs. Due to the type of material they are made of, we can distinguish feet with a mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, pneumatic-hydraulic joint, and the most popular carbon fiber alloys. The latest developments are electronic alloys with a built-in microprocessor. The company's flagship products are prosthetic joints. We offer hip and knee joints for various activity categories and body weight. Thanks to many years of experience of the company, monocentric and polycentric knee joints with a lock as well as safe, adjustable and adapted to unusual conditions after amputation are available. However, our hip joints can be adjusted in three planes. Our company's offer also includes many prosthetic adapters for various purposes. These are prosthetic foot adapters, adapters for lamination of the prosthetic socket, rotary adapters, sliding screw, sleeve, clamp, extension, double, tubular and oblique adapters. We also offer a number of sets with carefully selected elements that will pass the exam for patients with a given activity, body weight and level of amputation. The modular system allows you to connect, disconnect and change individual elements at any time. Thanks to the modular system, most of the elements are compatible with products from other manufacturers. All prosthetic components are made of light and durable materials of the best quality. A wide range of products allows you to select and match the product to each person - its level of activity and body weight, as well as individual requirements as to the functionality of the prosthesis. Our company's products are systematically supplemented with the latest trends on the market, which is why the catalog includes elements of prosthesis construction for each potential user. However, it should be remembered that the positioning of the denture is one of the most important elements of the prosthesis. We may have the best knee joint and foot, but how you assemble them is important.