Foot prostheses and prosthetic feet are prosthetic devices responsible for replacing the foot area after a lower limb amputation , the importance that these have lies in being the base in the human body or in the prosthesis of a leg because they play a role fundamental, since it will provide the patient with a more stable or agile gait depending on the characteristics and type of foot used.
In a foot prosthesis . The foot, in addition to providing a stable and agile gait, is also in charge of providing the balance to carry out all kinds of activities, as well as the simple fact of standing still.
There are various foot prostheses , and their function depends on the type of amputation that the patient has suffered, whether it is a partial or total amputation and the needs that the patient has.
Characteristics of a foot prosthesis .
As previously mentioned, foot prostheses are adapted according to the level of amputation that has been performed on the patient, since for people who suffered below-the-knee amputation , above-the-knee amputation , hemipelvectomy , and hip disarticulation, they will use a prosthetic foot while people who have had an ankle disarticulation amputation or Syme amputation will be fitted with another type of prosthetic foot called a conventional or Canadian Syme amputation prosthesis.
The design of a prosthetic foot can be done by applying various knowledge of biomechanics, manufacturing engineering, among others. This knowledge can be applied to the manufacture of prosthetic components for a specific sector of amputees, that is, a standardized process.
Currently, thanks to advances in technology, prosthetic feet can have springs in the area corresponding to the toes and the heel in order to allow greater movement of the ankle, adjustment of the heel at different heights and shock absorption. .
How does a foot prosthesis work ?
The feet are the base of the entire human body, from here knee problems, postures and other types of injuries caused by a bad gait phase can be derived.
Now with this part of the body missing, the foot prosthesis will replace it, and will be responsible for being the point of support throughout the body, which is why the foot prosthesis, more than having an aesthetic function, will be crucial to be adapted. tailored to each patient.
The foot prosthesis will be directed from the first moment in the rehabilitation of an amputee patient , achieving its function of walking again, using shoes and performing their tasks , since it will provide the patient with a more stable or agile gait depending on the characteristics of this item.
It is important to emphasize that prosthetic feet and prosthetic feet will always require a custom socket for the residual limb.
Types of foot prostheses
Prosthetic feet are classified into:
- 1.- Basic (fixed).
- 2.- Articulated (they move in one or more directions).
- 3.- Dynamic response (accumulate and return energy when walking, giving a sensation of impulse, something very similar to what the human foot does).
Conventional Syme amputation prosthesis
It consists of a socket that can be made of leather, with steel bars on the sides to provide support and a single-axis prosthetic foot .
Canadian Syme amputation prosthesis
This version of the Syme amputation prosthesis consists of a high-temperature molded and laminated plastic socket, anchored to a modified SACH-type prosthetic foot . In order to design the socket, a mold of the stump is taken .
There are various types of foot prostheses , of different brands, characteristics, functions and prices.
In order to determine the price of a foot prosthesis, an evaluation by a specialist in orthotics and prosthetics is necessary , since he will determine the best foot according to your objectives, needs and characteristics of the residual limb.