This study presents the first investigation into the capability of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors to measure interface pressure between the stump and the prosthetic sockets of a trans-tibial amputee. FBG element(s) were recoated with and embedded in a thin layer of epoxy material to form a sensing pad, which was in turn embedded in a silicone polymer material to form a pressure sensor. The s...

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine the percentage of amputee soldiers who sustained their injury during the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq and have returned to duty. In addition, the authors plan to identify the factors that influence the amputee's likelihood to return to duty. METHODS The computerized records of amputee soldiers who presented to the Physical Eva...

I WELCOME the opportunity to express my appreciation for the wonderful cooperation and assistance that the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration has enjoyed in our many close relationships with the National Academy of Sciences—National Research Council. Our associations with the Committee on Prosthetics Research and Development and the Committee on ProstheticOrthotic Education have been long...

Unilateral below-knee amputees develop abnormal gait characteristics that include bilateral asymmetries and an elevated metabolic cost relative to non-amputees. In addition, long-term prosthesis use has been linked to an increased prevalence of joint pain and osteoarthritis in the intact leg knee. To improve amputee mobility, prosthetic feet that utilize elastic energy storage and return (ESAR)...

SHORT stumps have always presented fitting problems in both upperand lower-extremity amputation sites for the obvious reasons of small attachment area and a lack of useful range of motion. In an attempt to alleviate these problems for upper-extremity amputees, Drs. O. Hepp and G. G. Kuhn (1) of Minister, Germany, developed fitting techniques for the below-elbow and the above-elbow amputee, resp...

Many factors influence successful outcomes following transfemoral amputation. One factor is surgical technique. In this study, the influence of limb alignment and surgical technique on a muscle's capacity to generate force was examined using musculoskeletal modeling. Non-amputee and transfemoral amputee models were analyzed while hip adduction, femur length, and reattached muscle wrap position,...