title: Quality of polypropylene sockets for trans-tibial prostheses in low-income countries.
abstract: Based on six series of patients (n = 198) participating in clinical field testing of prosthetic feet and all provided with trans-tibial prostheses in accordance with the polypropylene component and assembly system developed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) follow-up studies by teams consisting of an orthopaedic surgeon and a Category-I prosthetist-orthotist were conducted. A series of quality measures were tested against previously published quality benchmarks. The polypropylene system gives a consistent product and allows for increased demands on quality benchmarks. The acceptance of discomfort and pain could be reduced to 5 +/- 5%. The technical performance demands were reduced for misalignment to 10 +/- 5%. In general for all quality measures the range could be reduced to +/- 5%. These new demands reflect what an orthopaedic workshop outside of a teaching system should be able to attain.
authors.affiliation: ISPO, Copenhagen, Denmark. steen@ispo.ws
authors.forename: J Steen
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Wilfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Raab
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fisk
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hartz
authors.forename: Ariel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saldana
authors.forename: Carson
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harte
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D002160:Cambodia; D002648:Child; D003906:Developing Countries; D004544:El Salvador; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014744:Vietnam
chemical_list: D011126:Polypropylenes