Question
Why might we pick one prosthetic foot over another?
Answer
One consideration is whether the patient has a unilateral or bilateral amputation. Other considerations could be the status of the contralateral limb; the patient’s need in regard to specific ADLs; determining if the patient will be involved in altered weight carrying such as carrying their children; determining if the patient is someone who does quick turns or fast movements or is someone who is very active on varying terrain. Still, more considerations might include the amount of time that the patient spends in wet or harsh environments like a garage mechanic, a cook, or someone in construction.
I take care of a man who works in a glass factory. He carries 100-pound sheets of glass. We have given him the vertical shock foot with an extra layer of shock absorption so that as he loads up the prosthesis he has extra support in the foot.
Horseback riding or motorcycle riding might require something special in a foot. A slow or fast walker, a heel or toe walker, a dancer, and someone who wears slim shoes may all have different needs. All of things might come into play as far as choosing the right prosthetic foot.
