Title: Adjustable prosthetic socket for children and adolescents to accommodate growth

Funder: National Institutes of Health (NICHD)

Grant Term: Open until September 2024

Brief Summary: We are looking for children ages 3-18 with lower limb loss to participate in our research study.  We developed an adjustable, immediate fit prosthesis for children based on our experience with the adult system. After screening, they will visit our lab and be fit with the adjustable prosthesis.  They will wear the adjustable prosthesis for a two-month trial period and return for evaluation.  They may keep the prosthesis following the trial.  The goal is to develop a prosthesis that is adjustable and can be worn for a 1-2 year period of time comfortably by the child.

Outcome Measures: The participant will complete several questionnaires, have an analysis of their internal socket pressures and complete a gait analysis.  This will be done on their conventional prosthesis during the first visit and on the adjustable prosthesis after the two-month period.  We will also be giving out pedometers to track steps in both devices.

Location: Penn Medicine; 1800 Lombard St; Philadelphia, PA 

Reimbursement: $100/ visit

Eligibility: 
​Key inclusion criteria
Four months post-amputation
Age 3-18
Subjects who have lost a limb due to any cause: trauma, congenital limb loss, dysvascular causes (peripheral vascular disease and diabetes), or malignancy will all be eligible for inclusion.
Intact, protective sensation in their residual limbs.
Key exclusion criteria
1) open skin lesions, 2) excessive pain in the residual limb (phantom pain, residual limb pain, or neuroma), 3) neurological disorders (e.g., stroke, severe polyneuropathy) causing weakness in the contralateral leg or marked gait impairment, 4) inability to follow instructions for trial

Duration of study: 2 months