Does Socket Configuration Influence the Position of the Femur in Above-Knee Amputation?

Transfemoral sockets with vacuum-assisted suspension comparison of hip kinematics, socket position, contact pressure, and preference: Ischial containment versus brimless

“…However, the subsequent perineal discomfort associated with an IRC brim could potentially cause an abducted positioning of the thigh and femur by crowding the perineal region. Additionally, some researchers have stated that socket design has no influence on femur position [6,[23][24][25][26]. In this study, we observed no significant differences in coronal hip angle and lateral shifting between the IRC and brimless socket designs.…”

“…There are few data substantiating these proposed benefits. Therefore, optimal prosthetic socket brim design for TFA remains elusive [3,[5][6][7][8].…”

Modern research and the forgotten prosthetic history of the Vietnam war

“…In their research article, "Does socket configuration influence the position of the femur in above-knee amputation?" Gottschalk et al concluded from observations of 50 weight-bearing X-rays of transfemoral prosthetic sockets that "no amount of lateral pressure can change the position of the femur" and stated the belief that proper anatomical adduction is achieved through specific applied surgical techniques [1]. The sockets X-rayed in Gottschalk et al's study comprised both quadrilateral and ischial containment socket designs, and X-ray measurements revealed a reported average of 2° of abduction for all sockets surveyed.…”

“…Providing the rationale of the emerging narrow ML Fitzsimons Army Medical Center (FAMC), located in Aurora, Colorado, circa 1970. This building, which replaced the original 1918 hospital, was dedicated on December 3, 1941, and "inactivated" on June 8, 1996 [1]. It was named after 1LT Williams Thomas Fitzsimons, Army Physician, the "first American Officer to die as a result of enemy action during World War 1" [1].…”

“…This building, which replaced the original 1918 hospital, was dedicated on December 3, 1941, and "inactivated" on June 8, 1996 [1]. It was named after 1LT Williams Thomas Fitzsimons, Army Physician, the "first American Officer to die as a result of enemy action during World War 1" [1]. During the years 1966 to 1971, more than 600 Vietnam war amputees were treated at FAMC [2].…”