Finite element model of a below-knee amputation: a feasibility study

In 2005, the number of lower limb amputees was 1.6 million in the USA and is projected to reach 3.6 in 2050. Among causes for amputations, dysvascular diseases, trauma and diabetes are the main one and dysvascular conditions are increasing because of an ageing population [1]. The manufacturing of lower limb prosthesis is currently mainly artisanal while the use of computer assistance is still limited. As a consequence, the quality of the prosthesis will greatly depend on the prosthetist know-how. However, this is not the only factor influencing prosthesis quality, and the type of the prosthesis, its design, or the materials for both liner and socket should also be taken into account. Although prosthesis quality assessment is subjective, quantitative measurements such as pressures or temperatures in the liner and patient feedback through questionnaires can be assessed. Mechanical interactions between a stump and the prosthesis were accurately predicted using finite element method (FEM) [2,3]. Existing models mainly aim to develop a realistic model with no or limited validation. Complete optimization of the prosthesis using numerical analysis has, to the best of our knowledge, not been fully performed. Thus, the main objective of this project is to define a new FEM method to fully optimize prosthesis shape in order to improve the subject's comfort. The definition of this method will first need a validation of the FEM by comparing experiments and simulations results together with measuring the method reproducibility.