The effect of pressure relief in prosthetic sockets on the wear and comfort of BK amputees

Abstract

Great flexibility in prosthetic sockets, with long range of spring like action is needed while designing a socket. A finite element analysis is conducted to investigate the stress and displacement distribution for different socket cases where relief is needed. The relieved socket after optimization of the pressure distribution areas showed less wear and more comfort for amputees than the non-relieved socket. A Design of Experiment using 2 level factorial design is used to optimize the relief areas with respect to pressure distribution. Stresses and displacements were included in the model desirability. Higher deformation of the pressure relief areas is sought while preserving the socket structural integrity. A compromise with the structural integrity of the socket and the optimized values with high desirability of the Design of Experiment Model imply that Duraform socket A with 1.69mm relief area could be the best design scenario between several cases. Wear and skin analysis indicated that the relieved socket is significantly better than the unrelieved one.