Finding the best pes for you

People with lower-limb loss sometimes need a prosthetic leg system with a knee (if they are above-knee amputees) or not, if they are below-knee amputees. Most employ liners, and many also use sleeves to add comfort and performance to their leg system. But everybody needs a pes!

New devices open the door to new opportunities and activities for people who need a prosthetic foot. A wide selection of feet, including many that simulate the dynamic action of an anatomical pes, can assist you run across your action goals. There are even anxiety specifically designed for running.

Nearly feet

Triton is a dynamic carbon fibre prosthetic foot that is suitable for everyday life and recreational sports.

The nuts

Designing prosthetic human foot systems is challenging. Information technology'south very difficult to reproduce the complex workings of the human human foot and talocrural joint. Ideally the foot will be lite because its weight is added to the rest of the leg prosthesis. If the foot is also heavy, the break arrangement may be afflicted and with it the connection to the socket and your limb.

A skillful prosthetic foot should likewise be stiff, every bit it will be taking on huge strength and torque as you walk and run. Feet must also be minor plenty to fit within a pes vanquish, a cosmetic roofing for the prosthetic human foot, and thus fit within a shoe. Existence light, potent, and small, and nonetheless functional and durable is the claiming.

Prostehtic_Foot_SACH_Foot

Early on designs for prosthetic anxiety were oft a solid piece of wood. A similar design, the SACH (solid-ankle-cushioned-heel) is nonetheless in employ because of its sturdy function, especially useful for individuals with lower activity levels. A SACH foot typically has a rigid inner structure (wood or plastic) surrounded by a compressible cream cosmetic shell.

Drawing of a Triton prosthetic foot inside the footshell

Today'south more sophisticated feet, which add more functions, are secured inside a cosmetic beat out. Nearly people never come across their prosthetic human foot without this exterior shell. The cosmetic trounce, which stretches around the foot prosthesis and is held in place, serves two purposes:

Product picture of a prosthetic SACH foot.

  • It makes your foot prosthesis look like an anatomical foot.
  • It fills the space in your shoe.

The foot prosthesis

What'due south inside the shell tin vary dramatically. Prosthetic feet are designed to meet the needs that fit your lifestyle and action level. Hither are some factors to consider.

Materials. The materials in a prosthetic foot differ by activity level. Wood, plastic and foam are usually found in anxiety designed for individuals who have depression activity levels and require stability. Carbon fiber feet meet the functional needs for stupor assimilation and free energy efficiency, and are lightweight likewise.

Condolement. A prosthetic foot has to feel salubrious to meet your action goals. Condolement allows yous to be more active, and the function of your prosthetic foot directly affects comfort.

Office. Prosthetic feet are designed to mimic a human foot at a specific activity level. For people who cannot walk, the role is largely cosmetic. For those who are virtually agile, a prosthetic foot must mimic a normal pes during the act of walking. It must act every bit a shock absorber equally yous strike your heel to the basis, adjust to uneven terrain, provide a polish rollover from heel to toe, and provide a rigid lever for propelling forward when you finish your step ("toe-off").

Multi-axial motion. Some prosthetic feet are designed to mimic the ankle, which allows the foot to move in multiple planes. Multi-centric capability in a foot allows you to enhance and lower the forefoot; move the forefoot to the left and correct; and roll the pes slightly to the within and to the outside. Multi-axial motion is needed to walk comfortably and confidently on uneven ground, when your foot must adapt to whatever it encounters.

Energy storage. A foot made with carbon fiber for energy storage literally gives you lot a spring in your step. The carbon cobweb acts every bit a jump, compressing as yous utilize weight and propelling you lot frontward equally your foot rolls, returning energy to your step equally the spring releases. Some prostheses have 1 leap in the heel and a second bound in the forefoot: only what you lot need for walking at various speeds, running, climbing hills or descending stairs with a secure, confident stride. With carbon fiber, the longer the leap, the more energy information technology can store and the more responsive the foot will be.

The right human foot for you

To notice a prosthetic human foot to see your needs, consider:

Your limb loss.

If you still have part of your foot, you probably will need a custom prosthesis that is molded to fit in a shoe. If you experienced an amputation involving the ankle, including ankle-disarticulation, Symes, Chopart, Pirogoff or Boyd surgery, you'll need a specialized depression-profile foot. For an amputation above the ankle, a standard prosthetic human foot tin can meet your needs. You should consider multi-axial capability likewise every bit daze absorption. For higher up-articulatio genus amputees, keep in mind that the college the limb loss, the less command you will have of the prosthesis and the more y'all will need stability in your prosthetic human foot.

Your activity level.

Manufacturers categorize prosthetic feet by the user's activity level. Selecting a prosthesis that matches your activity level will maximize your mobility and your quality of life. The wrong prosthesis tin can really make walking more difficult or less stable for yous.

If a practitioner or therapist has non yet identified your activity level, hither are some very basic indications. If you're on the border betwixt two activity levels, consider products designed for both levels.

Activeness Level 0
If you cannot walk, you lot may nevertheless want a prosthetic human foot for your ain sense of well-being or to feel more confident in social settings. Because information technology will not back up your weight or help you walk, it doesn't demand any features that assist mobility.

Activeness Level 1
For those with the near limited mobility, prosthetic feet designed for maximum stability help maintain balance when standing or taking short, cautious steps at minimal speed on level floors. With safety every bit a priority, opt for these characteristics in a prosthetic foot:

  • Lightweight
  • A secure opinion area upon heel contact that allows you to safely shift your weight onto the pes
  • Allows walking without bending the knee

Jackie with lower limb prosthesis meeting up with friends at a coffee place.

Activeness Level 2
To walk for a limited time and limited speed and be able to negotiate obstacles like curbs or uneven basis, you would do good from a prosthetic foot that offers stability and comfort, meaning it protects the joints and residual-limb tissue. Look for a prosthetic pes that features:

  • Shock assimilation at heel strike
  • A light rollover during walking
  • A dynamic transition from continuing into swing phase (taking a step)
  • Moderate multi-axial functionality, if y'all expect to walk on uneven basis

User with C-Leg prosthesis walking in the rain with an umbrella.

Activity Level 3
If yous're a person who can walk at varying speeds while also negotiating uneven terrain and similar barriers, look for these features in a prosthetic foot:

  • A smooth rollover as the prosthetic foot transitions from heel strike to toe-off.
  • Good energy efficiency.
  • Power to arrange to uneven ground.

John with Running prosthesis taking a run on the beach.

Action Level 4
For the highest level of mobility, including walking for unlimited fourth dimension and distance plus demanding work, recreational or athletic activities, you demand a prosthetic foot that tin can withstand daze, tension and torsion and that responds when y'all modify walking speeds or commencement running. (For certain activities, you lot might consider additional specialty feet for sports or swimming.)

For everyday utilise, wait for a prosthetic foot with:

  • An easy rollover
  • Good forefoot support
  • Excellent energy efficiency. Consider a carbon-fiber foot with more than stiffness for support and energy storage.
  • Ability to accommodate to uneven ground

Your weight.

Prosthetic anxiety are designed for a specific weight range. To ensure that a prosthetic human foot performs well for you, cull one suited to your weight class.

Your clearance.

When you stand, a prosthesis fills the infinite between your residual limb and the floor. It is designed to add only the length needed to equal your other leg. Most prosthetic feet are ii to seven inches in height. Consequently, a limb loss near the ankle may limit your options to low-profile prosthetic feet.

Your preferred shell.

Shells can be ordered in colors to match peel tone, in a range of sizes and oft with a carve up toe for wearing sandals. Low-finish shells may lack detail, such every bit toes, and may be attached to the prosthetic pes. At the loftier cease, the toes and skin colors are more realistic. If your activeness level is 3 or 4, await for a pes with a shell that can be replaced if y'all clothing it out dancing or playing tennis.

Price.

The cost of prosthetic anxiety more often than not rises with the activeness level because boosted functionality translates to more construction and more expensive materials. Reimbursement past an insurance company or authorities program depends on specific codes. Before making a concluding selection, brand sure the prosthetic pes of your option is covered. Insurance companies oftentimes volition embrace a more expensive prosthesis if it volition enable yous to increase your action level, work a longer day or take fewer days off.

Downloads

Pes Portfolio Flyer

FAQs

Have a look at our Frequently Asked Questions for more data.

  • How do I get the price of a prosthetic pes covered?

    At that place are many means to cover the cost. Check out the Financial Coverage section of this website.

  • How do I cull the right foot?

    Your health care team will work closely with y'all to brand the determination, based on your activity goals and lifestyle. Oft you volition be able to try out a foot in your prosthetist's role to run into if it'southward right for you.

Not finding what y'all are looking for? Delight contact us!