PhD Candidate Northeastern University Northeastern University Framingham, Massachusetts, United States
This study investigated how prosthetists align prosthetic feet of varying stiffnesses and examined stiffness preferences among prosthetists and amputees. Results showed inconsistent alignment patterns and preferences, suggesting visual gait assessment alone may not provide reliable clinical guidance for prosthetic fitting.
Learning Objectives:
Analyze the relationship between prosthetic foot stiffness and prosthetist alignment strategies, including the variability in sagittal plane alignment patterns observed across different clinical practitioners.
Evaluate the limitations of visual gait assessment as a primary tool for prosthetic alignment decisions and understand why this approach may not provide consistent clinical guidance across prosthetists.
Compare prosthetist and prosthesis user preferences for prosthetic foot stiffness, and assess how factors beyond mechanical stiffness may influence alignment decisions and patient satisfaction in prosthetic fitting.
