I HAVE SHARED MY STUDY

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED I AM SHARING HERE 

SCIENTIFIC CHARACTERIZATION OF THE RINCOE SOCKET AND TEKSCAN F-SOCKET INTERFACE PRESSURE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL UTILITY

Socket fabrication is a highly refined art that relies on the skill and experience of the prosthetist. Despite best efforts, patients often return to the prosthetist with complaints of residual limb pain, socket discomfort, and skin problems. Clinical techniques for the quantification of biomechanical factors at the socket interface are not in common use. The concept of measuring pressure at the interface between the residual limb and the prosthetic socket could provide valuable information in the process of prosthetic socket fabrication, modification, and fit. The Rincoe Socket Fitting System (Rincoe & Associates, Golden, CO) and F-Socket Pressure Measurement System (Tekscan Inc., South Boston, MA) are two commercial systems designed for in-situ measurement of interface pressure. Their use is not common in prosthetic practice, perhaps due to cost, difficulty in clinical interpretation of the data, and time required for operation.

The influence of shear forces on normal pressure measurements will also be investigated. Clinical methods of data interpretation will be the last phase of testing for utility of interface pressure measurements, although the authors feel that this should not begin unless a sufficient sensor system exists for clinical purposes. The authors will begin to explore alternative sensor technology for prosthetics such as capacitance sensors. Clinical tests with a select group of transtibial amputees will begin to assess static and dynamic pressures and inter/intra-rater reliability of sensor application and testing.