Clinical study of the application of the PTB air-cushion socket.

2 Director, Prosthetic/Orthotic Research Department, Orthopaedic Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. From January 1966 to September 1968, the Orthopaedic Hospital in Copenhagen conducted a clinical evaluation study of the patellar-tendon-bearing (PTB) aircushion socket (see p. 1). The Prosthetic/Orthotic Research Department at the hospital fabricated the sockets, using the casting procedure described by Wilson and Lyquist (2) and the fabrication procedures described by Lyquist and his associates (1). These procedures and the results of fitting 45 amputees were published in September 1968. Forty-five amputees were selected for the test series and fitted with air-cushion sockets. Four patients were eventually dropped from the study, three because of their inability to return for re-examination, and one because of her confinement to a wheelchair as a result of progressive vascular disease. The group of 41 amputees consisted of 30 males and 11 females, with ages ranging from 7 to 74 years (average age: 44).