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Conventional Prosthetic Design

At most prosthetic facilities an amputee will find the inconvenience of the conventional method of prosthetic design being used.  This method involves using plaster to capture a patient’s limbs shape, and then using hand tools to modify the replicated shape in order to create a prosthesis that is fitted to the amputee.  It still widely used today, however there are many shortcomings to the use of this prosthetic design technique.

The conventional method  of providing prosthetics is a subjective process, meaning the outcomes vary depending on the skill level of the person facilitating the service.  It can be a very time consuming process sometimes taking weeks to deliver the prosthesis to the patient.

The initial steps of providing a prosthesis using the conventional method include:

Taking a Cast

taking a castPlaster of Paris is used to wrap, or cast, the patient’s limb to obtain a representative shape of the residual limb. The challenges using this method are:
  • very messy process
  • very time consuming as the patient is required to wait for the cast to set
  • the accuracy of the cast is subject to the way the limb was wrapped, the type of plaster material used, the skill level of the individual technician/prosthetist, and the distortion caused by the removal of the cast. 

Filling the Cast

In order to obtain a representation of the patients’ limb, the cast must be filled and allowed to set, or harden, for it to be used to create a socket to fit the patients’ limb. This process is a very time consuming process to complete.

Shaping the Model

shaping the modelOnce the cast has been filled, a model of the patient’s limb is used to create the socket.  However, in order to create a socket that fits, a modification needs to be made to that plaster model. In the conventional method, an individual uses a tool called a rasp to do this modification. Similar to the casting process, this is a very subjective process. Each individual performing this procedure will use their own rasping technique, unable to create a model that is identical to that of another.

In short: using the conventional method, if you had 10 individuals trying to create a model that replicated your limb, you would end up with 10 different models of your limb simply by the nature of its subjective process.

When the conventional method is used, valuable time is lost. Valuable time that could be spent learning about the patient, the patient’s lifestyle, and devising a plan for their success.  

At Fourroux Prosthetics, the use of our state-of-the-art technology eliminates the inconsistencies associated with the conventional prosthetic design method.  Our scientific approach enables us to provide a higher level of quality care & devices in the most time efficient manner possible.