Foot Ideas

Foot Ideas

4/27/2022

Hello, I am working with a small hospital in Honduras in their development of a prosthetics service. For affordability and simplicity they have opted to make the same design of prosthesis for every patient, but I have run into a problem. A TT patient that I fit four years ago, when he was 11, now at 15 is 6'2 and 214 lbs, unusually large for a Honduran, and probably not done growing. Our standard foot has very limited durability for him, and the drive to where he lives is 3-4 hours, so I have been authorized to find a better foot for him. He is about as active as 15 year-olds are, and you have his size. His foot size is 29. I am looking for some design of energy storing foot, and it can be either with a molded foot form or a replaceable foot shell. The number one criteria is durability, and the distant second is a preference for low-profile because it will have a simple cover. We are just starting to do covers for children, and I can't use just any cover system there. Whatever foot I use will have to be compatible with a 30mm pylon, which means that I also need either a proximal pyramid, or a way to attach one. I don't need an actual running foot, and I don't want torsion or shock absorption, as those would both represent unacceptable maintenance headaches. So, simple and durable, primarily for walking. It is not quite cost-be-damned, but it is close, so I can look at a range of options. Here in the States replacements can be had more or less immediately, so I haven't had to consider this specific requirement set. I have a few ideas, but I am asking others for their experience with feet that last long-term on active walkers and aren't typically replaced because of a breakage failure. I realize that things wear out, though. A patient I saw two weeks ago, who had his prosthesis made in another part of Honduras, who presented complaining that his foot felt loose. The actual problem was that the carbon forefoot was in pieces inside the foot shell, but he had been using that prosthesis daily for over 5 years. That kind of durability would be awesome, but that foot is no longer made. Thanks for any and all help. Blessings,James Redhed CPO

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