Clinical Appraisal of Indigenous Below Knee Endoskeletal Carbon Fibre Prosthesis

BackgroundAmputation is a catastrophe, which results in physical, social, psychological and economic handicap. Provision of suitable prosthesis (artificial limb) is a major step towards rehabilitation of these patients.MethodsWith an aim to provide comfortable, prosthesis to these patients, Artificial Limb Centre (ALC) Pune, developed Below Knee Carbon Fibre Shaft Endo-Skeletal (BK ES CF) Prosthesis in collaboration with DEBEL, Bangalore, a DRDO establishment. 815 Below Knee Amputee patients have been provided with the newly developed Endo-skeletal prostheses at ALC Pune till 31 Dec 2003. New BK ESCF prosthesis was evaluated for its performance by feedback received from 500 patients.ResultsMore than 86% patients were satisfied with the performance of new prosthesis and they achieved almost normal gait.ConclusionThe performance of new BK ESCF prostheses was excellent and it achieved good clientele satisfaction.