A new pylon materials in transtibial prosthesis: a preliminary study

• Main Authors: Shasmin, H.N., Abu Osman, Noor Azuan, Latif, L.A., Usman, J., Wan Abas, Wan Abu Bakar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2007
• Subjects: TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/4434/1/A_NEW_PYLON_MATERIALS_IN_TRANSTIBIAL_PROSTHESIS_A_PRELIMINARY_STUDY.pdf; http://eprints.um.edu.my/4434/; http://www.tsb-web.org.tw/isb2007/isb2007-paper/ISB/0532.pdf
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

Prosthesis is used to provide an individual who has an amputated limb with the opportunity to perform functional tasks, particularly ambulation (walking). The basic components of these lower limb prostheses are the foot-ankle assembly, pylon (shank), socket and suspension system. The pylon, which commercially made from Stainless Steel or Titanium is used to connect the socket to the ankle-foot assembly. Today, transtibial amputees have an equal number of options available in the market to fit sprinting, skiing, golf and swimming sport. However, these high-tech prostheses can cost several thousand dollars in the West and amputees from low-income countries just could not afford to buy them. Referring to the ISPO consensus conference on appropiate technology in developing countries 1995, most rehabilitation research has targeted low cost foot-ankle assemblies 1. However, in this study, the commercial pylon (shank) will be replaced by using the bamboo.