Article

The goal of this study was to compare the outcomes of two types of transtibial prosthetic sockets. Two independent
convenience samples of unilateral adult amputees (N
36), previously successful wearers of transtibial prostheses with
either patellar tendon bearing (PTB) or total surface bearing (TSB) sockets were refitted with new prostheses with sockets
of either PTB or hydrocast TSB (HCTSB) design (NPTB
21, NHCTSB
15). The socket type of the new prostheses did
not necessarily repeat that of the previous fittings. On delivery of the prostheses and 1 month thereafter, the subjects'
perception of socket comfort was measured with the Socket Comfort Score instrument. The data then were statistically
analyzed with the following results: Comfort levels of the PTB sockets were higher on both measures. Between the initial
and the final comfort level assessments, comfort levels increased for the PTB group and decreased for the HCTSB group.
Period of Time since Amputation variable exhibited a significant positive relationship with the initial socket comfort level
in the PTB group. In both the PTB and HCTSB groups, and in the total sample, the initial and final socket comfort levels
were higher for subjects whose socket types had not changed.

Langue : ANGLAIS