Leg prosthesis
In the area of the lower extremity, amputations from the hip joint (hip disarticulation) or in the case of amputations of the lower half of the body (hemicorporectomy) are particularly problematic after tumor diseases. The ability to walk after such operations can only be maintained in younger patients. For this purpose, it is necessary to embed the trunk in a raised plastic basket.
The so-called ischial tuberosity (Tuber ischiadicum), a dominant bony projection at the upper edge of the ischium, is the force transmission for such a prosthesis. Due to the lightweight tubular skeleton structure, the prosthesis achieves a high level of acceptance. In the area of transfemoral amputations, myoplastic prostheses are used to control the residual limb position through the thigh muscles (quadriceps and ischiocrural muscles).
Myoplastic treatment means that good soft tissue coverage of the residual limb and fixation of the muscle groups is performed to ensure active guidance of the residual limb. In most cases, however, complete final loading of a thigh stump is not possible. For this reason, the force must be introduced into the prosthesis via the ischial tuberosity.
The knee joint can be controlled electronically. Lower leg amputations and knee joint disarticulations are largely capable of full loading, i.e. final loading. In these cases, the force can be applied via the two prosthesis sockets, which enable full contact with the residual limb. Full loading is also desired for amputations in the ankle joint and foot area, which are fitted with a short prosthesis.For amputations of the midfoot or forefoot, only shoe adjustments are required
