A Functional Above-the-Knee Prosthesis

The widely used above-the-knee prosthesis is composed of a quadri­ lateral muscle-contour, wooden thigh socket, a knee mechanism, a wooden shank, a SACH foot, and a suitable pelvic suspension. This type of pros­ thesis has met with considerable success in most patients, but it is expensive and not all geriatric patients can wear it. A so-called temporary limb—a modified long brace with a leather thigh corset, bilateral drop-ring knee-lock, a shank and a foot—is sometimes pre­ scribed under these circumstances, but such a limb has many disadvantages.