Prosthetics and Orthotics Manufacturing Guidelines: Lower Limb Prosthetics: Trans-Tibial Prosthesis
Prosthetics and Orthotics Manufacturing Guidelines: Lower Limb Prosthetics: Trans-Tibial Prosthesis
Prosthetics and Orthotics Manufacturing Guidelines: Lower Limb Prosthetics: Trans-Tibial Prosthesis
Trans-Tibial Prosthesis
200
0868/002 09/2006 Physical Rehabilitation Programme
MISSION
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and
independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the
lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to provide them with
assistance. It directs and coordinates the international relief activities conducted
by the Movement in situations of conflict. It also endeavours to prevent suffering
by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian
principles. Established in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of the International Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Acknowledgements:
Jean François Gallay
Leo Gasser
Pierre Gauthier
Frank Joumier
International Committee of the Red Cross Jacques Lepetit
19 Avenue de la Paix Bernard Matagne
1202 Geneva, Switzerland Joel Nininger
Guy Nury
T + 41 22 734 60 01 F + 41 22 733 20 57
Peter Poestma
E-mail: [email protected] Hmayak Tarakhchyan
www.icrc.org
© ICRC, September 2006 and all prosthetists-orthotists who have worked in ICRC-assisted physical rehabilitation centres.
All photographs: ICRC/PRP
Table of contents
Foreword 2
Introduction 4
1. Raw materials and components 4
2. Measurements and soft socket manufacture 6
3. Trans-tibial cup alignment and socket manufacture 11
4. Building up the prosthesis and bench alignment 17
5. Polypropylene cosmetic manufacture 26
5.1 Cosmetic with upper part of socket removed 26
5.2 Cosmetic with complete PP socket 34
6. EVA cosmetic manufacture 41
Reference list of materials 46
Standard cuts of polypropylene sheets for lower-limb prostheses 48
Since its inception in 1979, the ICRC’s Physical Rehabilitation Programme has promoted the
use of technology that is appropriate to the specific contexts in which the organization operates,
i.e., countries affected by war and low-income or developing countries.
The technology must also be tailored to meet the needs of the physically disabled in the countries
concerned.
The choice of technology is of great importance for promoting sustainable physical rehabilitation
services.
For all these reasons, the ICRC preferred to develop its own technique instead of buying ready-made
orthopaedic components, which are generally too expensive and unsuited to the contexts in which
the organization works. The cost of the materials used in ICRC prosthetic and orthotic devices
is lower than that of the materials used in appliances assembled from commercial ready-made
components.
When the ICRC launched its physical rehabilitation programmes back in 1979, locally available
materials such as wood, leather and metal were used, and orthopaedic components were
manufactured locally. In the early 1990s the ICRC started the process of standardizing the
techniques used in its various projects around the world, for the sake of harmonization between the
projects, but more importantly to improve the quality of services to patients.
Polypropylene (PP) was introduced into ICRC projects in 1988 for the manufacture of prosthetic
sockets. The first polypropylene knee-joint was produced in Cambodia in 1991; other components
such as various alignment systems were first developed in Colombia and gradually improved. In
parallel, a durable foot, made initially of polypropylene and EthylVinylAcetate (EVA), and now of
polypropylene and polyurethane, replaced the traditional wooden/rubber foot.
In 1998, after careful consideration, it was decided to scale down local component production in
order to focus on patient care and training of personnel at country level.
The ICRC’s “Manufacturing Guidelines” are designed to provide the information necessary for
production of high-quality assistive devices.
This is another step forward in the effort to ensure that patients have access to high-quality services.
ICRC
Assistance Division/Health Unit
Physical Rehabilitation Programme
The aim of this document is to describe a method for manufacturing trans-tibial (TT) prostheses
using the ICRC’s polypropylene technology as applied in ICRC projects worldwide.
The casting, rectification and alignment methods used correspond to international prosthetic and
orthotic (P&O) standards of practice and are therefore not described in these ICRC manufacturing
guidelines.
The alignment system and foot components are available in adult and child sizes.
4Description:
1 Convex ankle
3 Convex disc
4 Cylindrical TT cup
The alignment system and foot components are available only in adult size.
4Description:
1 Concave ankle
2 Convex disc
3 Cylindrical TT cup
Socket design
Should be made with a soft liner. Must be made with a soft liner.
6The patient is assessed, a prescription is made, measurements are taken and moulding and
rectification are performed according to best P&O practice.
6Draw a trapezoid on a sheet of 6 mm EVA according to the measurements taken but adding 3 cm
to the length on the short side of the trapezoid.
Cut the EVA and skive the lateral and the distal sides (about 12 mm).
Apply talcum powder inside the cone and on the plaster model.
Cover the mould with a plastic bag, close it securely below the mould with an elastic strap and
switch on the vacuum pump.
Measurements
6Once the plaster is removed, use a screwdriver to remove the piece of EVA.
6Grind the distal part and check that the surface is flat.
Steps to follow:
6The foot, the convex ankle and the concave cylinder are attached together.
An extra 4 mm plate must be attached to the convex ankle. Drill two holes as shown on the
illustration below and fix the two components together with a PP welding rod. This will prevent
breakage of the foot bolt.
Components
Attach the concave cylinder (with the opening in front) to the foot and the convex ankle.
The heel height is adjusted according to the patient’s shoe; the concave cylinder must be
perpendicular to the ground.
6Hold the concave cylinders on the mirror welder until a roll of melted PP forms.
Socket alignment
The socket is connected to a concave cylinder with a convex disk in between. The connection is
secured by a countersunk head bolt and flat washer inside the socket, with the T-nut inside the
concave cylinder.
Shifting can occur in all directions: anterior, posterior, medial, lateral and combined movements,
with a range of 10 mm in all directions
6Bench alignment is performed according to P&O practice and adjusted during fitting and during
the gait training period.
6Draw a line following the shape of the foot, then disassemble the foot.
6Cut across the prosthesis below the level of the hamstring tendons and remove the upper part.
6Cut off the excess PP at the welding seam. Keep the vacuum on until the plastic cools down.
6Remove the PP shell from the prosthesis and remove the plaster. Clean the prosthesis thoroughly
to ensure that no pieces of plaster remain. Put the prosthesis back into the shell.
4Attach the 4 mm PP
reinforcement to the shell
with tubular rivets.
6Draw a line following the shape of the foot, then disassemble the foot.
The last step is to fix the foot back on the prosthesis. Check the flatness of the ankle.
6Draw a line following the shape of the foot, then disassemble the foot.
Weight per unit of measurement: 285 grams • Quantity per box: 25 sets • Box size: L40 x l30 x H44 cm
Weight per unit of measurement: 490 grams • Quantity per box: 25 sets • Box size: L40 x l30 x H44 cm
Weight per unit of measurement: 130 grams • Quantity per packet: 1 piece
Acknowledgements:
Jean François Gallay
Leo Gasser
Pierre Gauthier
Frank Joumier
International Committee of the Red Cross Jacques Lepetit
19 Avenue de la Paix Bernard Matagne
1202 Geneva, Switzerland Joel Nininger
Guy Nury
T + 41 22 734 60 01 F + 41 22 733 20 57
Peter Poetsma
E-mail: [email protected] Hmayak Tarakhchyan
www.icrc.org
© ICRC, September 2006 and all prosthetists-orthotists who have worked in ICRC-assisted physical rehabilitation centres.
All photographs: ICRC/PRP
Manufacturing Guidelines
Ankle-Foot Orthosis
200
0868/002 09/2006 Physical Rehabilitation Programme