The comfort and fit of the residual limb within a prosthetic socket are of primary concern for many amputees. The residual limb is typically covered by unbreathable and non-thermally conductive materials that can create a warm and ultimately moist environment. These layers consist of a prosthetic liner that rolls onto the limb and traps heat and occasional extra prosthetic socks. Studies found increases in socket temperature after the prosthesis was donned. Temperatures were found to remain elevated long after activity cessation and even a rest period of double the duration of the preceding activity period is insufficient to return the limb to its initial temperature. A small amount of activity can cause the socket temperature to elevate and remain at an uncomfortable level for an extended period of time, which can lead to decreased wear times. In summary, an uncomfortable socket/residual limb interface decreases prosthesis use among amputees who want to remain active in their lives.
The investigators have developed a silicone liner approach to passively conduct heat from the skin using thermally conductive elastomers. A technology that can provide thermal control while retaining adequate suspension, weight, and other prosthetic characteristics would benefit many prosthesis wearers.
This study will focus on investigating the efficacy of this novel moisture and thermal management (experimental) liner.
The rationale for this study is to determine how well the new technology can regulate the residual limb temperature and reduce the moisture generation in a home environment where the device would ultimately be utilized.
The objective of this study is to measure the effects of residual limb moisture and thermal management on quality of life (QoL) and functional outcomes. Reducing temperature increases of the residual limb inside the prosthetic socket would result in less sweating and greater comfort while wearing the prosthesis, and ultimately greater function and better quality of life as measured by standard functional and QoL outcome measures. The primary outcome measure is the modified Dermatology Quality Life Index (mDLQI). All other measures collected during this study are exploratory.
A prospective design will be implemented for this study. Research participants will be consented by LTI over the phone. Residual limb measurements will be received from the participant to confirm liner sizing. One 'experimental' prototype liner will be created for each participant. Subjects with a similar liner size and profile to the available experimental liners will be targeted. Temperature and step-count sensors will be placed on the participant's prosthesis to log daily measurements. Testing will consist of 2 site visits, with the entire study lasting approximately 5 weeks.
Lower limb prosthesis users will be recruited for the study and consented with an approved protocol. Research participants will represent a convenience sample and will reflect the local population of people with lower limb differences who use prosthetic sockets and could benefit from temperature control within the socket.
A maximum of 16 subjects will be recruited for this study. This sample size accounts for subject drop out and other losses (such as incomplete log data, etc.) to yield usable data from the target 12 subjects required by the power analysis.
