Selection of the most adequate suspension system for lower limb amputees: evaluation parameters

A proper suspension system influence the overall satisfaction of a lower limb ¬amputee on the daily basis. The present study aimed to establish the main parameters needed to evaluate and support the advantages of the new proposed suspension system by reviewing the literature related with amputee’s satisfaction. Eleven studies were select and detailed analyzed. Most of the mentioned studies used Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ) as a method to classify the amputee’s satisfaction in different domains. Several studies pointed out pistoning and easy donning and doffing as the main parameters that addresses the amputee’s satisfaction with the currently available suspension systems. Amputees had a general preference for suspension systems that have an easy donning and doffing. However, the current studies do not explore the impact of the amputee’s characteristics on their satisfaction with the suspension system. The authors believe that amputee’s characteristics such as age, activity level, duration of prosthetic use, skin quality of the residual limb and hand functionality can influence the selection of the suspension system. Further research is still needed to objectively define the clinical parameters for the selection of the most adequate suspension system. Therefore the research should be carried out using a homogenous study group to perceive the advantages, drawbacks and problems using different suspension systems and, consequently, to understand the full potential of the suspension system proposed by the authors.
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion